Named characters

Major entities (proper, common)

FAC

38 the house/The house
29 the room/The room
28 home
24 the studio
19 here
19 school
16 her room
12 this house/This house
11 there
11 the drawing‐room

GPE

11 town
6 the town
6 there
4 the country
2 that county
1 the old town of Lucca
1 the neighbourhood
1 that country town
1 the place
1 the smaller Umbrian cities

LOC

110 the world/The world
12 the river
6 the sea‐side
4 the country
4 the sea/The sea
4 the wide world
3 the water
3 this world
3 the whole world/The whole world
2 the fields

PER

63 people/People
58 one/One
56 his cousin
53 the children/The children
52 the girl/The girl
51 a man/A man
47 a woman/A woman
39 women/Women
38 her cousin/Her cousin
31 others

ORG

4 the school/The school
2 the Working Women ’s Club
1 the railway company
1 this school
1 the military foundry
1 Mary Leigh ’s company
1 a new school
1 the school to which these decidedly belonged
1 his school
1 that school

VEH

15 the carriage/The carriage
6 the train/The train
4 the ship/The ship
3 the boat
2 boats
2 their carriage
2 A steamer/a steamer
1 the late train
1 the bullock‐carts
1 carts

Text

IT was melancholy to admit that [Italy]_1-italy also had ceased to interest [him]_493-him , thought [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , as [he]_144-hamlin smoked [his]_144-hamlin cigarette on [the hillside above [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini}]_{494-the hillside above the villa arnolfini} ; melancholy , although , in truth , [he]_144-hamlin had suspected as much throughout the journey , and , indeed , before starting . Pale , milky morning sky , deepening into luminous blue opposite the fast‐rising sun ; [misty blue‐green valley bounded by unsubstantial Apennine peaks and [Carrara]_3-carrara crags]_{495-misty blue‐green valley bounded by unsubstantial apennine peaks and carrara crags} ; yellow shimmer of vines and of maize , green sparkle of pine and fir branches , glitter of vermilion sand crumbling under [his]_144-hamlin feet among the sear grass and the brown cistus tufts,—all these things seemed to have lost for [him]_144-hamlin their emotional colour , their imaginative luminousness . [He]_144-hamlin tried to realise the time when all these things had given [him]_144-hamlin a thrill , had gone to [his]_144-hamlin head , nay , when the mere sense of being in [Italy]_1-italy had done so ; but now the very words “ thrill ”_[144-hamlin] and “ intoxication ”_[144-hamlin] seemed false , disgusting , and vulgar . Formerly , at least , such things had soaked into [him]_144-hamlin , dyed [his]_144-hamlin mind with colour , saturated it with light ; instead of remaining , as now , so separate from [him]_144-hamlin , so terribly external , that to perceive them required almost an effort . [He]_144-hamlin and [the world]_{496-the world} had been becoming paler in the last three years ; it was melancholy , but that seemed quite natural and in keeping ; and besides , a washed‐out world , [a man with worn‐out feelings]_{497-a man with worn‐out feelings} , have quite as much psychologic interest for [a poet]_{498-a poet} as the reverse . [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin had never been [your]_499-your splash‐of‐scarlet and dash‐of‐orange‐and‐skyblue , lust‐and‐terror kind of lyrist ; but [he]_145-hamlin had begun [his]_145-hamlin poetical career with a quiet concentra‐ tion of colour , physical and moral , which had made [his]_145-hamlin earliest verses affect one like so many old church windows , deep flecks of jewel lustre set in quaint stiff little frames , with a great deal of lead between , and supreme indifference to anatomy and perspective . And as [a painter]_{500-a painter} ( perhaps just because , despite [his]_145-hamlin own contrary opinion)—he certainly had less original genius as [painter]_501-painter than as [poet]_502-poet — [he]_145-hamlin had continued in this habit of gemlike harmonies of colour ; but in [his]_145-hamlin poetry , and in [his]_145-hamlin reality as [a man]_{503-a man} , it struck [him]_145-hamlin that [he]_145-hamlin had little by little got paler and paler , colours turning gradually to tints , and tints to shadows ; pleasure , pain , hope , despair , all reduced gradually to a delicate penumbra , a diaphanous intellectual pallor , of which this utter listlessness , this indifference even to having grown indifferent , was , as it were , the faint key‐note . [The world]_{496-the world} was a pale and prismatic mist , full of vague , formless ghosts , in which it was possible to see only as far as to‐day ; and , indeed , why wish to see that paler to‐day called to‐morrow ? Perhaps there was a little depression added to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s usual listlessness . It had given [him]_145-hamlin a kind of little shock to see [Melton Perry]_146-perry again , after those twelve or thirteen years ; bringing back to [him]_145-hamlin the time when [he]_145-hamlin had been the most brilliant and eccentric of [that little knot of æsthetic undergraduates]_{505-that little knot of æsthetic undergraduates} , at whose strange doings as [Greek gods]_{506-greek gods} , and [Provençal poets]_{507-provençal poets} , and [Norse heroes]_{508-norse heroes} , [Oxford]_101-oxford had murmured in those philistine days , and which had welcomed [young Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with [his]_145-hamlin girlish beauty and pre‐Raphaelite verses , as a sort of mixture of [Apollo]_148-apollo and [Eros]_149-eros , sitting at the head of the supper‐table dressed in green silk , with rose garlands on [his]_145-hamlin head , while [Perry]_146-perry led a chorus of praise , dressed in indigo velveteen , with peacocks ’ feathers in [his]_145-hamlin button‐hole , and silver‐gilt grasshoppers in [his]_145-hamlin hair . [Poor old Perry]_146-perry ! Absurd days those were , thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [he]_145-hamlin walked slowly towards [the house]_{509-the house} , through the grass and hemlock bending with dew , pushing aside the fig branches and vine trails along the narrow path between [the terraced olives]_{510-the terraced olives} ; absurd days those , and at which [he]_145-hamlin could now , having grown grave and listless , only faintly smile . Still the sight of [Perry]_146-perry had brought back to [him]_145-hamlin that recurring sense that [all those absurd lads of long‐gone days]_{511-all those absurd lads of long‐gone days} , turned [humdrum dons]_{512-humdrum dons} , and parsons , and [squires for the most part]_{513-squires for the most part} , had had a something , a spontaneity , an aristocratic fibre , a sort of free‐bornness , which [he]_145-hamlin missed among the clique‐and‐shop shoddy æstheticism with which [he]_145-hamlin now associated , and which sang [his]_145-hamlin praises as [those boys had sung them so many years before]_{514-those boys had sung them so many years before} . Professional poetry ! professional art ! faugh ! thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; it was that feeling which had been making [London]_4-london odious to [him]_145-hamlin of late , and sent [him]_145-hamlin abroad , [he]_145-hamlin knew not whither . [He]_145-hamlin was [a poet]_{498-a poet} [himself]_145-hamlin , and [a painter]_{500-a painter} also , to be sure ; but somehow [he]_145-hamlin liked to feel ( and yet it oppressed [him]_145-hamlin ) that [he]_145-hamlin was not of the same stock as [[his]_145-hamlin fellow‐workers]_{517-his fellow‐workers} — that [he]_145-hamlin had [his]_145-hamlin coats made by [less romantic tailors]_{518-less romantic tailors} , and cut [his]_145-hamlin hair and beard in less pictorial style . The sense of [his]_145-hamlin difference from all [those pen‐ and‐pencil‐driving men of genius]_{519-those pen‐ and‐pencil‐driving men of genius} , [those reviewer‐poets and clerk‐poets]_{520-those reviewer‐poets and clerk‐poets} , those once‐a‐week‐studio‐receiving [painters]_521-painters ; the sense of the dust and smoke , as it were , of [the æsthetic factory]_{522-the æsthetic factory} , had been choking [him]_145-hamlin of late : [he]_145-hamlin would rather go and associate only with well‐dressed numskulls , go and flirt with [empty‐headed Faubourg St Germain ladies]_{523-empty‐headed faubourg st germain ladies} , or [emptier‐headed Monte Carlo ladies]_{524-emptier‐headed monte carlo ladies} — [he]_145-hamlin would not touch pen or brush for years . It had been silly to accept [Perry]_146-perry ’s invitation to spend September at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} ; [he]_145-hamlin had accepted , thinking of [Perry]_146-perry as [he]_145-hamlin had been , a wild , roistering , half‐French creature , brought up at [Louis‐le‐Grand]_{5-louis‐le‐grand} , and telling wicked French stories . Good heavens ! what a change ! When [the wretched , thin , wasted , depressed‐looking creature]_{525-the wretched , thin , wasted , depressed‐looking creature} , fit for a medieval picture of mansuetude , had greeted [him]_145-hamlin by night at [the nearest station]_{526-the nearest station} , and had driven [him]_145-hamlin in the gig , [he]_145-hamlin had been quite unable to realise that this was indeed [Melton Perry]_146-perry . But [he]_145-hamlin had understood all , all , when , in [the bleak drawing‐room]_{527-the bleak drawing‐room} , in the glare of an ill‐ trimmed lamp , [that lank , limp , lantern‐jawed leering creature with a Sapphic profile]_{528-that lank , limp , lantern‐jawed leering creature with a sapphic profile} had come forward and seized [him]_145-hamlin by both hands , and kissed [them]_529-them , crying — “ [Dear Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [I]_{528-that lank , limp , lantern‐jawed leering creature with a sapphic profile} must kiss the hands that have opened the paradise of body and soul to so many of [us]_3861-us . ”_{[528-that lank , limp , lantern‐jawed leering creature with a sapphic profile]} [She]_{528-that lank , limp , lantern‐jawed leering creature with a sapphic profile} , and [her]_{528-that lank , limp , lantern‐jawed leering creature with a sapphic profile} speech , and the damp dab on [his]_145-hamlin hands , had passed before [him]_145-hamlin like a nightmare ; [he]_145-hamlin felt that [he]_145-hamlin would never be able to disassociate [Mrs Melton Perry]_146-perry from that horrible smell of ill‐trimmed , flickering oil‐lamp . It seemed to [him]_145-hamlin dreadful — a sort of hideous , harpy‐like proceeding — that [[his]_145-hamlin old friend]_{530-his old friend} should have thus been metamorphosed . “ [You]_145-hamlin see , ”_[146-perry] [Perry]_146-perry had said , “ [I]_146-perry must paint things — well — not the sort of things [I]_146-perry exactly admire,—because , [you]_145-hamlin see , there ’s [Mrs Perry]_146-perry and [the children]_{3862-the children} — [five girls,—and last year ’s baby]_{3863-five girls,—and last year ’s baby} . ”_[146-perry] [Perry]_146-perry ’s depressed voice had remained in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s ears . This was the end of [a bright , original fellow]_{531-a bright , original fellow} — married for love , too ! And [six children]_{532-six children} ! [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had already made up [his]_145-hamlin mind that [he]_145-hamlin could not possibly hold out long at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} . That [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , with [her]_146-perry leering Sapphic profile , [her]_146-perry almost amorous admiration , the limp gown , [the five girls]_{533-the five girls} , and [last year ’s baby]_{534-last year ’s baby} , the all‐pervading smell of oil‐lamp , were too much for [him]_145-hamlin . In three days , [he]_145-hamlin calculated , [he]_145-hamlin might decently , on some pretext , slip off to [Florence]_6-florence . And then — why , from [Florence]_6-florence [he]_145-hamlin might go to [America]_7-america . [He]_145-hamlin thought [all those big hotels]_{535-all those big hotels} , with [the fifteen hundred inmates and thirteen brass bands]_{536-the fifteen hundred inmates and thirteen brass bands} , all that tremendous strain , telegraph‐telephone vulgarity , might be refreshing . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had got to [the bottom of [the hill]_{538-the hill}]_{537-the bottom of the hill} , and in front of [him]_145-hamlin , nestled among the olives and the vines , rose [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} , [a time‐ and weather‐stained Tuscan country‐house]_{539-a time‐ and weather‐stained tuscan country‐house} , with [its]_{2-the villa arnolfini} rose‐hedges gone wild among the beans and artichokes , [its]_{2-the villa arnolfini} grotesque ivy‐draped terra‐cotta statues , [its]_{2-the villa arnolfini} belvedere towers , from whose crannied sides and yellow lichened tiles the pigeons swept down on to the lawn of overgrown grass , thick with dew in the blue morning shadow . [It]_{2-the villa arnolfini} had a sort of half‐romantic , half‐idyllic charm , which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin could not help recognising : [it]_{2-the villa arnolfini} certainly was better than [an American hotel]_{540-an american hotel} , with [ten lifts]_{541-ten lifts} , [thirteen brass bands]_{542-thirteen brass bands} , and [fifteen hundred inmates]_{543-fifteen hundred inmates} . But , like everything else , it was a snare ; for behind those sleepy‐looking green shutters were the pink and blue chromo‐lithograph pot‐boilers of [Melton Perry]_146-perry , were [the five girls]_{533-the five girls} and [the last year ’s baby]_{545-the last year ’s baby} , nay , were [the Sapphic leer and limp dresses of [Mrs Melton Perry]_146-perry [herself]_146-perry]_{546-the sapphic leer and limp dresses of mrs melton perry herself} . Making these reflections , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin pushed open the green and blistered house‐door and entered [the wide hall]_{547-the wide hall} , with rickety eighteenth‐century chairs and tables marshalled round the walls . There was one good thing about [[his]_145-hamlin hosts]_{548-his hosts} , [he]_145-hamlin thought , and that was , that [they]_{548-his hosts} had no common breakfast , but invited [[their]_{548-his hosts} guests]_{549-their guests} to do whatsoever [they]_{548-his hosts} pleased in the early morning . [The hall]_{550-the hall} was very silent , and [Ham‐]_151-ham‐ lin wondered how [he]_145-hamlin should get any breakfast . It struck [him]_145-hamlin that [he]_145-hamlin had better go and ring the bell in [[his]_145-hamlin bedroom]_{551-his bedroom} . But on going [upstairs]_552-upstairs [he]_145-hamlin found there was no sign of a bell either in [it]_{551-his bedroom} or in [the vast scantily furnished drawing‐room]_{553-the vast scantily furnished drawing‐room} , where a thick layer of dust reposed on tables and mirrors , and the smell of last night ’s oil‐lamp still lingered . [He]_145-hamlin saw the open door of [[Perry]_146-perry ’s studio]_{554-perry ’s studio} ; [it]_{554-perry ’s studio} was empty , and so was [the adjoining dressing‐room]_{555-the adjoining dressing‐room} , where boots and canvases littered the floor . But on the mirror was a paper , on which was written in the largest characters : “ [I]_145-hamlin am gone to sketch at [the Lake of [Massaciuccoli]_{8-massaciuccoli}]_{3864-the lake of massaciuccoli} ; sha n’t be back till lunch ; please look after [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Confound it ! ”_[145-hamlin] thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ am [I]_145-hamlin to be left in tête‐à‐tête with [Mrs Perry]_146-perry all the morning ? ”_[145-hamlin] But since [Melton Perry]_146-perry thought nothing of leaving [[his]_145-hamlin guest]_{556-his guest} alone all the morning , [he]_145-hamlin too — [the guest]_{557-the guest} — might surely be permitted to slip away after breakfast from the effusive æstheticism of [[his]_145-hamlin hostess]_{558-his hostess} . Having found no sign of life on [the first floor]_{559-the first floor} , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin went down‐stairs once more , and proceeded to ramble about in search of breakfast , or , at least , of [some servant]_{560-some servant} . The ground‐floor seemed to consist entirely of [[servants]_561-servants ’ rooms]_{562-servants ’ rooms} , [offices]_563-offices , and strange garners , where sacks of potatoes , garden‐tools , silkworm‐mats , and various kinds of pods were gathered together . They were all empty ; and empty likewise was [the kitchen]_{564-the kitchen} , [its]_{564-the kitchen} brass saucepans and huge spits left invitingly for [any one who might care to step through the open garden‐door]_{565-any one who might care to step through the open garden‐door} . But next to [the kitchen]_{564-the kitchen} was a sort of nursery , at least so [he]_145-hamlin judged from [the children]_{3862-the children} ’s chairs and battered dolls lying about — and here a table was spread with cups and saucers and jugs , and a cut loaf and a plate of figs . “ This looks more like it , ”_[145-hamlin] thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , wondering what had become of [the inmates of [this mysterious abode of sleep]_{569-this mysterious abode of sleep}]_{568-the inmates of this mysterious abode of sleep} . Suddenly [he]_145-hamlin heard [children]_570-children talking in [a room]_{571-a room} at the end of [the passage]_{572-the passage} , and a sort of subdued , deep , melancholy chant , like some church song . [He]_145-hamlin went to the door whence came the sounds , and knocked gently . The childish chattering did not stop , nor the fitful gusts of chant — deep , nasal , but harmonious and weird , with curious , sudden , metallic falsetto notes , less like the voice of [a woman than of a youth]_{573-a woman than of a youth} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin knocked again , and receiving no notice , boldly opened the door and stood on the threshold . [He]_145-hamlin was struck by the sight which met [him]_145-hamlin . [The room]_{574-the room} was low and vaulted , with walls entirely frescoed with dark‐blue skies sprinkled with birds , mountains like cheeses , [rivers]_575-rivers , [box‐like houses]_{576-box‐like houses} , [people]_577-people fishing , and plentiful ducks and parrots on perches ; a faint green shimmer of leaves came through the open windows ; [three or four little yellow‐headed children]_{578-three or four little yellow‐headed children} were scrambling on the floor , struggling violently over the funeral of a doll in a biscuit‐tin . In the middle of [the room]_{574-the room} was a large deal table , covered with singed flannel , on the corner of which stood a brasier with some flat‐irons , and a heap of crumpled pink pinafores ; and behind this table , [her]_580-her tall and powerful figure , in a close‐fitting white vest and white skirt , standing out against the dark‐blue painted wall and the green shimmer from outside , was [a young woman]_{581-a young woman} bending over a frock which [she]_{581-a young woman} was ironing , [her]_{581-a young woman} bare brown arms going up and down along the board ; [her]_{581-a young woman} massive and yet girlish body bending with the movement , and singing that strange chant which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had heard from outside . “ [I]_145-hamlin beg [your]_{3862-the children} pardon , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , in Italian , as [he]_145-hamlin stood in the doorway . [The children]_{3862-the children} looked round , tittered , and made remarks in shrill whispers ; [the girl]_{583-the girl} stopped [her]_{583-the girl} work , stood erect , putting [her]_{583-the girl} iron on the brasier , and stared full at [Hamlin]_145-hamlin with large wide‐opened eyes of strange dark‐greyish blue , beneath heavy masses of dark lustreless hair , crimped naturally like so much delicate black iron wire , on [her]_{583-the girl} narrow white brow . “ [I]_145-hamlin beg [your]_{3862-the children} pardon , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin again ; “ but can [you]_{3862-the children} tell [me]_145-hamlin how [I]_145-hamlin may get some breakfast ? ”_[145-hamlin] [He]_145-hamlin could not help smiling in proffering this innocent request , so serious and almost tragic was the face of [the girl]_{583-the girl} . “ It ’s [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_{[3862-the children]} tittered [the children]_{3862-the children} , rolling under the table , and hanging to the table‐cloth . [The young woman]_{586-the young woman} eyed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin for a second in no very gracious manner ; then answered , with a certain contemptuous listlessness in [her]_{586-the young woman} slightly hollowed pale cheeks and beautifully curled but somewhat prominent lips — “ [I]_{586-the young woman} do n’t know anything about [your]_145-hamlin breakfast , [sir]_3865-sir . ”_{[586-the young woman]} [She]_{586-the young woman} spoke , to [his]_145-hamlin surprise , in perfect English , with only the faintest guttural Italian accent . “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry went to sketch at [Massaciuccoli]_{8-massaciuccoli} early this morning , and took [the boy]_{3866-the boy} with [him]_152-perry ; [Mrs Perry]_146-perry may never be disturbed till nine ; and [the cook]_{3867-the cook} is gone to [Lucca]_9-lucca for provisions . ”_{[586-the young woman]} “ That ’s very sad , ”_[145-hamlin] remarked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , laughing , and looking at this curious and picturesque being . [The girl]_{583-the girl} seemed annoyed at being discovered in that guise , for [she]_{583-the girl} pulled down [her]_{583-the girl} white sleeves quickly . “ [I]_{586-the young woman} suppose [the cook]_{3867-the cook} has orders about [your]_145-hamlin breakfast , ”_{[586-the young woman]} [she]_{586-the young woman} said , in a tone which seemed to put an end to the conversation ; and [she]_{586-the young woman} took up [her]_{586-the young woman} iron once more . “ [Mrs Perry]_146-perry did not think [you]_145-hamlin would want anything so early ; [the cook]_{3867-the cook} will be back about nine . ”_{[586-the young woman]} But [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would not be shaken off ; the fact was , [he]_145-hamlin enjoyed watching this beautiful sullen creature much as [he]_145-hamlin might have enjoyed watching a cat whom [he]_145-hamlin had disturbed in its sleep . “ Nine o’clock ! ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said ; “ that ’s a long time to wait . Could n’t [you]_{583-the girl} give [me]_145-hamlin something to eat ? [I]_145-hamlin saw a table spread in [the next room]_{3870-the next room} . ”_[145-hamlin] [The girl]_{583-the girl} put down [her]_{583-the girl} iron with a sort of subdued irritation of manner . “ It ’s [the children]_{3862-the children} ’s breakfast , [sir]_3865-sir , ”_{[583-the girl]} [she]_{583-the girl} answered ; “ [we]_3873-we have neither tea nor coffee . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ [We]_3873-we have milk , ”_{[589-the eldest of the little girls]} said [the eldest of [the little girls]_{590-the little girls}]_{589-the eldest of the little girls} pertly , “ and figs . ”_{[589-the eldest of the little girls]} “ Milk and figs ! ”_[145-hamlin] exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “ why , that ’s a breakfast for [the gods]_{3874-the gods} ! and wo n’t [you]_{583-the girl} , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin went on rather appealingly—“won’t [you]_{583-the girl} share a little of it with [me]_145-hamlin ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_145-hamlin are [[Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s guest]_{3875-mrs perry ’s guest} , ”_{[583-the girl]} said [the girl]_{583-the girl} more sullenly than ever , “ and of course [you]_145-hamlin are welcome to anything [you]_145-hamlin choose . ”_{[583-the girl]} [Hamlin]_145-hamlin felt rather taken aback . “ Indeed ! ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said . “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t wish to do anything against the habits of [the house]_{509-the house} , or disagreeable to [you]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] “ It is not against any rules , ”_{[583-the girl]} [she]_{583-the girl} answered . “ If [you]_145-hamlin will excuse [me]_145-hamlin , [I]_145-hamlin will see whether the milk is heated . [The children]_{3862-the children} will show [you]_145-hamlin the way . ”_[145-hamlin] [HAMLIN]_145-hamlin felt rather contrite and humiliated as [he]_145-hamlin sat down at the square table , with [the two eldest children]_{592-the two eldest children} , pert little rosy and flaxen things , on either side of [him]_145-hamlin , and [the three little ones]_{593-the three little ones} staring at [him]_145-hamlin , and then suddenly making convulsive dives under the table‐cloth and behind [each other]_{594-each other} ’s shoulders opposite . [He]_145-hamlin was the furthest possible removed from [the kind of young man who persecutes [pretty housemaids]_{596-pretty housemaids}]_{595-the kind of young man who persecutes pretty housemaids} . Whatever vagaries [he]_145-hamlin might have had in [his]_145-hamlin life , they were not of that sort ; and now , although [he]_145-hamlin had merely intended to ask for some breakfast , [he]_145-hamlin found [himself]_145-hamlin somehow in the position of pushing [his]_145-hamlin presence upon [a servant girl]_{597-a servant girl} . [He]_145-hamlin was vexed with [himself]_145-hamlin , and became very grave , scarcely answering the chatter of [the children]_{3862-the children} by [his]_145-hamlin side . “ And [you]_145-hamlin know , ”_{[599-the eldest child]} said [the eldest child]_{599-the eldest child} , a pretty little minx of eleven , fully conscious of [her]_{599-the eldest child} charms , “ [mamma]_3878-mamma told [us]_3879-us [you]_145-hamlin were [the great poet]_{3880-the great poet} , and [she]_3878-mamma read [us]_3879-us a poem of [yours]_145-hamlin about [Sir Troilus]_{153-sir troilus} . [Mamma]_154-mamma always reads poetry to [us]_3879-us — and [we]_3879-us liked it so much,—and [I]_{599-the eldest child} liked all about where [he]_{153-sir troilus} kisses [the lady]_{3881-the lady} so much , and [her]_{3881-the lady} purple dress with the golden roses , and then about [Love]_155-love , where [he]_{153-sir troilus} comes and takes [her]_{3881-the lady} by the throat , and chokes [her]_{3881-the lady} , and makes [her]_{3881-the lady} feel like a furnace . [Mamma]_154-mamma says it ’s just like love . [Mr Thaddeus Smith]_{156-mr thaddeus smith} was in love with [[the gardener]_{3882-the gardener} ’s girl]_{3883-the gardener ’s girl} when [he]_{153-sir troilus} came [here]_3884-here last year , [mamma]_3878-mamma says . ”_{[599-the eldest child]} “ Good heavens ! ”_[145-hamlin] thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ what [a mamma]_{3886-a mamma} and what [children]_570-children ! ”_[145-hamlin] “ And [mamma]_3878-mamma told [us]_3889-we to get some myrtles and put them in [[your]_145-hamlin room]_{3890-your room} , ”_{[600-a smaller one]} blurted out [a smaller one]_{600-a smaller one} . “ Hush , [Winnie]_157-winnie ! [You]_157-winnie know [you]_157-winnie should n’t tell , ”_{[601-the eldest]} said [the eldest]_{601-the eldest} . “ And [you]_157-winnie know , ”_{[602-the younger]} insisted [the younger]_{602-the younger} , in [her]_{602-the younger} little , impertinent lisp , “ [mamma]_3878-mamma said [we]_3889-we should put the myrtles , because [you]_145-hamlin made poems about myrtles ; and [we]_3889-we were to have had on [our]_3889-we best frocks , and met [you]_145-hamlin in [the hall]_{550-the hall} , and — ”_{[602-the younger]} “ Hush , [Winnie]_157-winnie ! ”_{[602-the younger]} “ And thrown roses on the floor before [you]_145-hamlin ; only then [papa]_3893-papa got a telegram saying [you]_145-hamlin were coming by [the late train]_{3894-the late train} , and [we]_3889-we had to go to bed — ”_{[602-the younger]} [Miss Winnie]_157-winnie ’s revelations and [[her]_157-winnie sister]_{603-her sister} ’s expostulations were interrupted by the entry of [the nurse]_{604-the nurse} , or [governess]_{605-governess} , or whatever else [she]_157-winnie might be , carrying a large jug of milk . [She]_157-winnie had slipped on a skirt and loose jacket of striped peasant cotton , which at a distance looked like a dull , rich purple . [She]_157-winnie sat down at the head of the table , and began silently helping the hot milk . “ May [I]_145-hamlin cut the bread for [you]_157-winnie ? ”_[145-hamlin] asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , feeling quite shy from [her]_157-winnie silence . “ [I]_157-winnie do n’t think [you]_145-hamlin will know how to do it , ”_[157-winnie] [she]_157-winnie answered . “ [We]_3895-we have only yesterday ’s bread at this hour , until [the cook]_{3867-the cook} returns from [market]_3897-market . ”_[157-winnie] When the milk was helped and the bread cut , [she]_157-winnie said , rather sharply — “ Now , [children]_570-children , say [your]_145-hamlin prayer . ”_[157-winnie] [The children]_{3862-the children} immediately set up a shrill chorus ; [the elder , who wished to show off]_{607-the elder , who wished to show off} , slowly — [the little ones , who were hungry]_{608-the little ones , who were hungry} , quicker ; an absurdly pseudo‐poetical thanksgiving , which reminded [Hamlin]_145-hamlin of the sort of poetry presented to [rich foreigners]_{609-rich foreigners} by [needy Italians on creamy , embossed , and illuminated paper]_{610-needy italians on creamy , embossed , and illuminated paper} . [He]_145-hamlin was struck by the fact that [the girl]_{583-the girl} did not join , but waited passively through this religio‐poetical ceremony ; doubtless , [he]_145-hamlin thought , because [she]_{583-the girl} was [a Catholic]_{612-a catholic} . “ That ’s mamma ’s Tuesday hymn , ”_[157-winnie] said [Winnie]_157-winnie ; “ [she]_{583-the girl} makes a different one for each day of the week . ”_[157-winnie] Whereupon [the children]_{3862-the children} fell vigorously to [their]_{3862-the children} breakfast of bread and milk . [Heaven]_158-heaven knows when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had eaten bread and milk last — probably , [he]_145-hamlin thought , not since [he]_145-hamlin had been out of frocks ; but it seemed to [him]_145-hamlin pleasant and pastoral . [He]_145-hamlin would have enjoyed this improvised breakfast had [the children]_{3862-the children} chattered less incessantly ( [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not care for [children]_570-children ) , and had [he]_145-hamlin not continued to feel rather as if [he]_145-hamlin had been courting [a nursemaid]_{616-a nursemaid} . [The young woman]_{586-the young woman} had as much as [she]_{586-the young woman} could do in pouring out more milk , giving out more figs , and cutting more slices of bread and butter for [the children]_{3862-the children} ; and [her]_{586-the young woman} conversation was entirely engrossed in admonitions to [them]_{3862-the children} not to spill [their]_{3862-the children} milk , not to jump on [their]_{3862-the children} chairs , not to talk with [their]_{3862-the children} mouths full , and so forth . [She]_{586-the young woman} seemed determined , in [her]_{586-the young woman} sullen indifferent way , to make [Hamlin]_145-hamlin understand that [he]_145-hamlin might intrude [[his]_145-hamlin person]_{619-his person} at that breakfast‐table , but that [he]_145-hamlin had no chance of intruding [his]_145-hamlin personality upon [her]_{586-the young woman} notice . But [her]_{586-the young woman} very indifference afforded [Hamlin]_145-hamlin an opportunity , and , as it were , a right , to examine [her]_{586-the young woman} appearance : [one]_620-one may surely look at [a person who obstinately refuses to notice one]_{621-a person who obstinately refuses to notice one} . [She]_{586-the young woman} was very beautiful , and even more than beautiful — strange . [She]_{586-the young woman} seemed very young , certainly , thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin — not more than nineteen at most ; but [her]_{586-the young woman} face , though of perfectly smooth complexion , without furrow or faintest wrinkle , was wholly unyouthful ; the look was not of age , for [you]_622-you could not imagine [her]_{586-the young woman} ever growing old , but of a perfect negation of youth . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin tried to think what [she]_{586-the young woman} might have been as [a child]_{623-a child} , looking round on the childish faces about [him]_145-hamlin , but in vain . The complexion was of a uniform opaque pallor , more like certain old marble than ivory ; indeed [you]_622-you might almost imagine , as [she]_{586-the young woman} sat motionless at the head of the table , that this was no living creature , but some sort of strange statue — cheek and chin and forehead of Parian marble , scarcely stained a dull red in the lips , and hair of dull wrought‐iron , and eyes of some mysterious greyish‐blue , slate‐tinted onyx : a beautiful and sombre idol of [the heathen]_{624-the heathen} . And the features were stranger and more monumental even than the substance in which they seemed carved by some sharp chisel , delighting in gradual hollowing of cheek and eye , in sudden cutting of bold groove and cavity of nostril and lip . The forehead was high and narrow , the nose massive , heavy , with a slight droop that reminded [Hamlin]_145-hamlin of the head of [Antinous]_159-antinous ; the lips thick , and of curiously bold projection and curl ; the faintly hollowed cheek subsided gradually into a neck round and erect like a tower , but set into the massive chest as some strong supple branch into a tree‐trunk . [He]_145-hamlin wondered as [he]_145-hamlin looked at [her]_{586-the young woman} ; and wondered whether [this strange type , neither Latin nor Greek , but with something of Jewish and something of Ethiopian subdued into a statuesque but most un‐Hellenic beauty]_{625-this strange type , neither latin nor greek , but with something of jewish and something of ethiopian subdued into a statuesque but most un‐hellenic beauty} , had met [him]_145-hamlin before . The nearest approach seemed to be certain mournful and sullen heads of [Michaelangelo]_{160-michaelangelo} , the type was so monumental , and at the same time so picturesque ; and as [he]_145-hamlin looked at [the girl]_{583-the girl} , it seemed , despite its strangeness , as if , at some dim distant time , [he]_145-hamlin had seen and known it well before . [He]_145-hamlin looked at [her]_{583-the girl} with the curiosity of [an artist examining a model]_{627-an artist examining a model} , or [a poet trying to solve a riddle]_{628-a poet trying to solve a riddle} ; there was , [he]_145-hamlin felt conscious , nothing insolent or offensive in [his]_145-hamlin stare . Yet [he]_145-hamlin felt [he]_145-hamlin must break the silence ; so , with real indifference , [he]_145-hamlin suddenly asked — “ How is it that [you]_{583-the girl} speak English so marvellously well ? [No one]_{3899-no one} would ever guess that [you]_{583-the girl} were not English . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_{583-the girl} am English , ”_{[583-the girl]} answered [the girl]_{583-the girl} . English nationality had explained many otherwise unaccountable mixed types to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; but this took [him]_145-hamlin by surprise , and left [him]_145-hamlin utterly incredulous . [This girl]_{630-this girl} certainly was [no Englishwoman]_{631-no englishwoman} — [a Jewess]_{632-a jewess} , perhaps . No , never ; [no Jewess]_{633-no jewess} was ever so pure and statuesque of outline : [some Eastern]_{634-some eastern} , dashed with Hindoo or Negro ; they were much coarser , more common , of far more obvious , less subtle beauty . “ [You]_{630-this girl} mean English by adoption , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin suggested , “ surely not by blood ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [[My]_{630-this girl} mother]_{3900-my mother} was [an Italian]_{3901-an italian} . [I]_{630-this girl} think [[her]_{3900-my mother} family]_{3902-her family} came from [Sicily]_10-sicily or [Sardinia]_11-sardinia , or somewhere , where there are [Spaniards]_{3903-spaniards} and [Moors]_161-moors , ”_{[630-this girl]} [she]_{630-this girl} answered ; “ but [[my]_{630-this girl} father]_{3904-my father} was [Scotch]_162-scotch . [He]_{3904-my father} came from [Aberdeen]_12-aberdeen . ”_{[630-this girl]} “ Have [you]_{630-this girl} ever been in [Scotland]_13-scotland ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked , just by way of saying something to mitigate the personalness of [his]_145-hamlin previous questions . “ No , ”_{[630-this girl]} [she]_{630-this girl} answered , and [her]_{630-this girl} lips closed as with a spring ; then [she]_{630-this girl} added , as if to close all further conversation , “ [I]_{630-this girl} was born in [Italy]_1-italy ; [[my]_{630-this girl} father]_{3904-my father} was employed at [Spezia]_14-spezia in [the docks]_{3906-the docks} . ”_{[630-this girl]} [The eldest]_{601-the eldest} [Miss Perry]_{163-miss perry} raised [her]_{163-miss perry} pretty little sentimental head pertly . “ [[Annina]_164-annina ’s father]_{3907-annina ’s father} was one of those who make [the big men‐of‐war at [Spezia]_14-spezia]_{3908-the big men‐of‐war at spezia} . ”_{[163-miss perry]} “ Oh , [you]_{601-the eldest} know , [we]_3909-we once went with [papa]_3893-papa , and saw [a man‐of‐war]_{3911-a man‐of‐war} , and [all the boilers and big , big cannons]_{3912-all the boilers and big , big cannons} , ”_{[600-a smaller one]} interrupted [a smaller one]_{600-a smaller one} . “ And [he]_{3907-annina ’s father} was [a bad , bad man]_{3913-a bad , bad man} , ”_{[601-the eldest]} went on [the eldest]_{601-the eldest} , composedly . “ [He]_{3907-annina ’s father} used to drink quantities of acquavite ; and one day when [he]_{3907-annina ’s father} had drunk so much acquavite , do [you]_{601-the eldest} know what [he]_{3907-annina ’s father} did ? [He]_{3907-annina ’s father} tried to throw [[Annina]_164-annina ’s mother]_{3914-annina ’s mother} out of the window , and then shot [himself]_{3907-annina ’s father} with a revolver . ”_{[601-the eldest]} [Hamlin]_145-hamlin listened as the cruel words dribbled out , and stared at the childish face . [He]_145-hamlin had never taken any interest in [children]_570-children ; but [he]_145-hamlin had never thought that [a child]_{623-a child} could be so deliberately ( as it seemed to [him]_145-hamlin ) malignant . The words made [his]_145-hamlin ears burn , and [he]_145-hamlin felt indignant , confused , and humiliated , as if [he]_145-hamlin were a party to them . [He]_145-hamlin did not look at [the girl]_{583-the girl} ; but [he]_145-hamlin somehow saw , or felt , the sullen , suppressed bitterness of shame in [her]_{583-the girl} tragic face . “ And is it true , ”_[157-winnie] interrupted [Winnie]_157-winnie , “ that [you]_145-hamlin are going to do [our]_3915-us picture ? [Mamma]_154-mamma said [you]_145-hamlin would want to paint [us]_3915-us angels or fairies . [All the painters]_{3916-all the painters} paint [us]_3915-us , because , [mamma]_3878-mamma says , [we]_3915-us are [the most beautiful children in [Florence]_6-florence]_{3918-the most beautiful children in florence} . [They]_{3916-all the painters} always give [us]_3915-us chocolate and marrons glacés to keep [us]_3915-us quiet . ”_[157-winnie] WHEN breakfast was over , and [she]_157-winnie had made [the children]_{3862-the children} fold up [their]_{3862-the children} napkins , [the nurse]_{604-the nurse} took what remained of figs , bread , and milk to lock up in [the kitchen]_{564-the kitchen} . [Mildred]_165-mildred , [the eldest of [the little Perrys]_{645-the little perrys}]_{644-the eldest of the little perrys} , sidled up to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [he]_145-hamlin stood on the doorstep leading into [the vineyard]_{646-the vineyard} , lighting a cigarette , and asked whether [he]_145-hamlin would not like to see [[her]_165-mildred garden]_{647-her garden} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked down upon [the innocent‐looking little fiend]_{648-the innocent‐looking little fiend} with a sort of disgust and contempt . “ Thank [you]_165-mildred , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said ; “ [gardens]_3919-gardens are n’t much in [my]_145-hamlin line . ”_[145-hamlin] [The little thing]_{649-the little thing} scowled at this rebuff of [her]_165-mildred fascinations . But a sudden thought struck [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ Yes , by the way , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ [I]_145-hamlin do take an interest in [gardens]_3919-gardens sometimes . Come and show [me]_145-hamlin [yours]_{649-the little thing} . ”_[145-hamlin] [Mildred]_165-mildred slipped [her]_165-mildred arm through [his]_145-hamlin — [a long‐legged , fair‐haired , pre‐Raphaelite child]_{650-a long‐legged , fair‐haired , pre‐raphaelite child} , in much‐darned stockings and patched pinafore — [Winnie]_157-winnie , [the second , a rounder , more comfortable , cherubic beauty]_{651-the second , a rounder , more comfortable , cherubic beauty} , seized [his]_145-hamlin hand . [He]_145-hamlin let [himself]_145-hamlin be led along , among the prattle of [the little one]_{652-the little one} and the assumed shyness of [the elder]_{653-the elder} , through [the vineyard]_{646-the vineyard} , where the tall , red‐tipped sorghum brooms stood among the trailing pumpkins and the tufts of fennel , to a small grove behind [the house]_{509-the house} , in whose shade were four little raked‐up spaces , with drooping marigolds and zinnias stuck into the earth , and small box sprigs . “ This is [[my]_157-winnie garden]_{3921-my garden} ! ”_[157-winnie] cried [Winnie]_157-winnie , dragging [him]_145-hamlin along , and pointing to the melancholy little patch . “ [I]_157-winnie have marigolds , and sunflowers , and red beans and potatoes . ”_[157-winnie] “ And this is [mine]_165-mildred , ”_{[165-mildred]} said [Mildred]_165-mildred , raising [her]_165-mildred big blue eyes . “ [I]_165-mildred call it [the garden of [Acrasia]_15-acrasia]_{3922-the garden of acrasia} ; because [mamma]_3878-mamma told [us]_3924-us once about [Sir Guyon]_{166-sir guyon} — ”_{[165-mildred]} “ Wo n’t [you]_145-hamlin give [us]_3924-us anything to buy seeds with ; [we]_3924-us want tomato seeds , ”_[157-winnie] clamoured [Winnie]_157-winnie . “ Hush , [Winnie]_157-winnie ! [I]_165-mildred wonder [you]_157-winnie ’re not ashamed ! ”_{[165-mildred]} cried [Mildred]_165-mildred . “ [They]_3925-they are very good sort of [gardens]_3919-gardens , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , fishing in [his]_145-hamlin waistcoat for loose silver , while [the children]_{3862-the children} looked at [him]_145-hamlin with beaming eyes ; “ here — [I]_145-hamlin hope [your]_157-winnie tomatoes may prosper and prove eatable . ”_[145-hamlin] Then [he]_145-hamlin suddenly turned to [Mildred]_165-mildred . “ Come here , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin ordered , “ [I]_145-hamlin want to speak to [you]_165-mildred ; ”_[145-hamlin] and [he]_145-hamlin sat down on a stone bench under [a plane‐tree]_{657-a plane‐tree} , in which [the cicala]_{658-the cicala} was sawing away with all [his]_145-hamlin might . [Mildred]_165-mildred stood in front of [him]_145-hamlin , wondering , half hoping for the usual request that [she]_165-mildred should sit for [an angel or a fairy]_{659-an angel or a fairy} . “ Look here , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , quietly ; “ [I]_145-hamlin want to know how [you]_165-mildred would feel if [[your]_165-mildred papa]_{3927-your papa} had been in the habit of drinking too much acquavite , and had shot [himself]_{3927-your papa} after trying to murder [[your]_165-mildred mamma]_{3928-your mamma} , and [some nasty little girl]_{3929-some nasty little girl} blurted it all out at breakfast to [a perfect stranger]_{3930-a perfect stranger} ? ”_[145-hamlin] [The child]_{660-the child} flushed with surprise and anger ; [she]_{660-the child} looked as if [she]_{660-the child} would have scratched [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s eyes out . But [he]_145-hamlin looked steadily in [her]_{660-the child} face , and [he]_145-hamlin was [a stranger]_{661-a stranger} , [a gentleman]_{662-a gentleman} , [a man]_{503-a man} , and not [[her]_{660-the child} papa]_{664-her papa} ; circumstances which entirely overawed [her]_{660-the child} . [She]_{660-the child} recovered [her]_{660-the child} composure marvellously , and answered after a moment ’s reflection , “ [[My]_{660-the child} papa]_{3931-my papa} is [a gentleman]_{662-a gentleman} , and [[Annina]_164-annina ’s papa]_{3933-annina ’s papa} was [a common man]_{3934-a common man} — [a mascalzone,”—with]_{3935-a mascalzone,”—with[660-the child]} considerable triumph at [her]_{660-the child} dignified argument . “ [[Your]_{660-the child} papa]_{3927-your papa} is [a gentleman]_{662-a gentleman} , ”_[145-hamlin] replied [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , sternly ; “ [I]_145-hamlin have known [him]_{3927-your papa} long before [you]_{660-the child} were born . But remember , if [you]_{660-the child} say cruel things which hurt [people]_577-people ’s feelings , whether [they]_577-people be [gentle people]_{3939-gentle people} or [servants]_561-servants , however much [[your]_{660-the child} papa]_{3927-your papa} may be [a gentleman]_{662-a gentleman} , [you]_{660-the child} wo n’t be [a lady]_{3943-a lady} . ”_[145-hamlin] And [Hamlin]_145-hamlin left [the little Perrys]_{167-the perrys} to muse upon this moral truth . [He]_145-hamlin felt quite excited ; and when the excitement had subsided , [he]_145-hamlin felt quite astonished at [himself]_145-hamlin . [He]_145-hamlin could scarcely realise that [he]_145-hamlin [himself]_145-hamlin had actually been meddling in [other people]_{665-other people} ’s affairs , had been reading a lesson to [[other people]_{665-other people} ’s children]_{667-other people ’s children} , all about [a little girl]_{668-a little girl} saying offensive things to [[her]_{668-a little girl} nurse]_{669-her nurse} . It was so strange that it quite humiliated [him]_145-hamlin : [he]_145-hamlin had first pushed [[his]_145-hamlin company]_{670-his company} on to [a nursemaid]_{616-a nursemaid} , and then , unasked , fought [the nursemaid]_{672-the nursemaid} ’s battle . [This confounded Perry household]_{673-this confounded perry household} ! Was it going to turn [him]_145-hamlin also into [a ridiculous caricature]_{674-a ridiculous caricature} ? [He]_145-hamlin went up‐stairs and wrote some business letters , and corrected a lot of proof of [his]_145-hamlin new book . Then [he]_145-hamlin thought it would be pleasanter to correct the remainder in [the garden]_{675-the garden} ; so [he]_145-hamlin brought down [his]_145-hamlin writing‐case , and established [himself]_145-hamlin on the grass behind [the house]_{509-the house} . [The first‐floor balcony]_{677-the first‐floor balcony} and the roof projected a deep shade ; and on the high grass flickered shadows of plane‐trees and laurels , as through their branches there flickered the pale‐blue sky . The swifts flew round the eaves with sharp noise , the cicalas sawed in the trees ; all was profoundly peaceable . But suddenly , from the first‐floor windows came a vague sound of childish sobbing , a confused murmur as if of consolation . Then a pause , after which a well‐known voice arose shrill in glib Italian . “ [Annina]_164-annina , how dare [you]_164-annina distress [the signorina Mildred]_{3944-the signorina mildred} ? How dare [you]_164-annina say cruel things to [[my]_145-hamlin poor , poor sensitive child]_{3945-my poor , poor sensitive child} ? ”_{[3950-the other voice calmly—“una delle solite bugíe]} “ [I]_145-hamlin have said nothing cruel to [the signorina Mildred]_165-mildred , ”_{[3950-the other voice calmly—“una delle solite bugíe]} answered a deep , quiet voice ; “ the signorina [Mildred]_165-mildred went to show [[her]_165-mildred garden]_{647-her garden} to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and then came back crying . [I]_145-hamlin asked [her]_165-mildred what had happened , but [she]_165-mildred refused to tell [me]_145-hamlin . [I]_145-hamlin have nothing to do with [her]_165-mildred tears . ”_{[3950-the other voice calmly—“una delle solite bugíe]} “ How dare [you]_164-annina tell such an untruth ? ”_[146-perry] shrieked [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ [The signorina Mildred]_165-mildred said something about [[your]_164-annina father]_{3947-your father} at breakfast , and [you]_164-annina , like [a little viper]_{3948-a little viper} , turned round upon [the poor little darling]_{3949-the poor little darling} . [She]_165-mildred is nearly in hysterics ! [You]_164-annina little serpent ! ”_[146-perry] “ It is one of [Miss Mildred]_165-mildred ’s usual lies , ”_{[3950-the other voice calmly—“una delle solite bugíe]} answered [the other voice calmly—“una delle solite bugíe]_{3950-the other voice calmly—“una delle solite bugíe} . ”_{[3950-the other voice calmly—“una delle solite bugíe]} [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had been admitted too much into confidence . [He]_145-hamlin took up [his]_145-hamlin writing things hastily , and removed to the furthest end of [the garden]_{675-the garden} , out of reach of the dispute . This was the pretty result of [his]_145-hamlin interference ! [He]_145-hamlin had merely got [this poor devil of [a nursemaid]_{616-a nursemaid}]_{679-this poor devil of a nursemaid} into a scrape . It was the fit punishment for [his]_145-hamlin folly in going out of [his]_145-hamlin way to meddle with [other folk]_{681-other folk} . [He]_145-hamlin was very much annoyed ; [he]_145-hamlin had been dragged into [a sordid woman]_{682-a sordid woman} ’s squabble ; [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s scolding had seemed addressed to [him]_145-hamlin . At the same time , [he]_145-hamlin did feel indignant that [the girl]_{583-the girl} should be treated in this fashion : such a splendid , queenly creature slanged by [a sentimental , æsthetic fishwife]_{684-a sentimental , æsthetic fishwife} , as [he]_145-hamlin defined [[his]_145-hamlin hostess]_{558-his hostess} to [himself]_145-hamlin . The return of [Melton Perry]_146-perry interrupted [his]_145-hamlin reflections . [Perry]_146-perry was quite astonished to find [him]_145-hamlin up , and extremely distressed at [his]_145-hamlin having had no regular breakfast . “ [You]_146-perry see , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ [Mrs Perry]_146-perry is very delicate — in short , scarcely fit for any kind of household bother,—so that — ”_[145-hamlin] “ Oh , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ [I]_145-hamlin had a capital breakfast with [[your]_146-perry children]_{3951-your children} . ”_[145-hamlin] Then [they]_686-they fell to talking of old times ; and little by little there emerged from out of [the overworked , henpecked Melton Perry]_146-perry of the present , the resemblance of [the proud and brilliant Melton Perry of the past]_{687-the proud and brilliant melton perry of the past} . “ Of course , ”_[146-perry] said [Perry]_146-perry , as [they]_686-they sat smoking in the sheltered studio—“of course [I]_688-i ’m very happy , and that sort of thing . [[My]_688-i wife]_{3952-my wife} — well , [she]_{3952-my wife} ’s a little impetuous , and [I]_688-i do n’t always agree about [her]_{3952-my wife} way of bringing up [the children]_{3862-the children} — but there ’s no saying that [she]_{3952-my wife} is n’t [an immensely superior kind of woman]_{3954-an immensely superior kind of woman} . [I]_688-i do n’t always agree with [her]_{3952-my wife} , mind [you]_146-perry ; but [she]_{3952-my wife} has the true poetic temperament , and”—here_[688-i] [he]_688-i made an evident effort—“she keeps [me]_688-i up to the mark with [my]_688-i work . [I]_688-i was always a lazy hound , [you]_146-perry know , and all that . In short , [I]_688-i know [I]_688-i ’m quite [a singularly fortunate man]_{3955-a singularly fortunate man} . [Nevertheless,—well]_{168-nevertheless,—well} , [I]_688-i tell [you]_146-perry [my]_688-i frank opinion about matrimony : never do it ; the odds are too great . [My]_688-i own belief is , that , especially for [an artist]_{3956-an artist} , it ’s [a fellow]_{3957-a fellow} ’s ruin . [Mine]_688-i , [you]_146-perry see , is an exceptional position . But if [you]_146-perry take [my]_688-i advice , [old man]_{3958-old man} , never marry . ”_[688-i] “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t think there is the faintest chance , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [Women]_3959-women have got to bore [me]_145-hamlin long ago : all that in [my]_145-hamlin poems is mere recollections of the past — descriptions of a myself which has long come to an end . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_146-perry ’m glad of it , ”_[146-perry] replied [Perry]_146-perry . “ It is a foolish thing to get tied to [a woman]_{3960-a woman} . ”_[146-perry] “ Foolish indeed ! ”_[145-hamlin] thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , looking from [[his]_145-hamlin shabby , depressed old comrade]_{689-his shabby , depressed old comrade} , to the blazing sunsets and green moonlights on the easels about [them]_690-them . DURING luncheon , no mention was made of [the nursemaid into whose concerns [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had that morning intruded]_{691-the nursemaid into whose concerns hamlin had that morning intruded} ; but at dinner , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s sense of the question being a sore one , and of being [himself]_145-hamlin mixed up in it , gave way before [his]_145-hamlin curiosity to solve the riddle of the strange‐type which had taken [him]_145-hamlin so by surprise . “ That is [a very strange‐looking girl [you]_{558-his hostess} have in [your]_{558-his hostess} service]_{3961-a very strange‐looking girl you have in your service} , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin remarked to [[his]_145-hamlin hostess]_{558-his hostess} , over [their]_690-them grapes and thin wine . “ [The cook]_{3867-the cook} ? ”_[146-perry] cried [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ Is n’t [she]_{3867-the cook} [a divine creature]_{3963-a divine creature} ? [I]_146-perry call [her]_{3867-the cook} [[Monna Lisa]_{169-monna lisa} ’s younger sister]_{3964-monna lisa ’s younger sister} . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t know [[your]_{558-his hostess} cook]_{3965-your cook} by sight , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin answered . “ [I]_146-perry mean [the other young woman [they]_690-them call [Annina]_164-annina]_{3966-the other young woman they call annina} — ”_[146-perry] [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s brow darkened . “ [The nurse]_{604-the nurse} — or governess,—I do n’t know exactly how to describe [her,—of]_{3968-her,—of} [[your]_{558-his hostess} little girls]_{3969-your little girls} . ”_[146-perry] “ [[[My]_146-perry children]_{3970-my children} ’s maid]_{3971-my children ’s maid} , ”_[146-perry] answered [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , with considerable emphasis . “ Thank heaven , [[my]_146-perry children]_{3970-my children} have never had and shall never have [any other nurse]_{3973-any other nurse} or [any other governess than [[their]_{3970-my children} own mother]_{3975-their own mother}]_{3974-any other governess than their own mother} . ”_[146-perry] “ Well , now , [Julia]_170-julia , ”_[146-perry] remonstrated [[her]_146-perry husband]_{693-her husband} , “ [I]_146-perry think , [you]_170-julia know , that ’s pushing it a little too far . ”_[146-perry] “ [[My]_146-perry children]_{3970-my children} shall never learn anything from [a menial]_{3977-a menial} , ”_[146-perry] insisted [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , “ neither to walk bodily , nor morally , nor intellectually , as long as [I]_146-perry am alive . ”_[146-perry] “ Good heavens ! ”_[145-hamlin] thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ what [a bandy‐legged family]_{3978-a bandy‐legged family} [they]_{3970-my children} are likely to turn out ! ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_146-perry suppose [you]_146-perry mean [Annie]_171-anne , ”_[146-perry] said [Perry]_146-perry . “ Yes , [she]_171-anne ’s [a good girl]_{3979-a good girl} , and [a good‐looking girl]_{3980-a good‐looking girl} . ”_[146-perry] “ [You]_146-perry are mad , [Melton]_146-perry , ”_[146-perry] cried [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , “ with [your]_146-perry idea of goodness and good looks ! ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin think [her]_171-anne extraordinarily good‐looking , ”_[145-hamlin] put in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , enjoying the authority of [his]_145-hamlin own verdict . “ [I]_146-perry always told [you]_145-hamlin so , ”_[146-perry] replied [Perry]_146-perry . “ When [I]_145-hamlin say good‐looking , ”_[145-hamlin] corrected [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t mean it at all in the ordinary sense . There are [dozens of Italian girls]_{3981-dozens of italian girls} five times as pretty as [that girl]_{3982-that girl} , and [I]_145-hamlin daresay [most people]_{3983-most people} do n’t think [her]_171-anne at all attractive . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Yes , ”_[146-perry] burst out [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , “ [vulgar minds and eyes]_{3984-vulgar minds and eyes} never appreciate the higher beauty . [They]_{3984-vulgar minds and eyes} see only the body . ”_[146-perry] “ This is exactly a question of the body , ”_[145-hamlin] went on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [That girl]_{3982-that girl} is one of the most singular types [I]_145-hamlin have ever come across . [She]_{3982-that girl} is like [some of [[Michaelangelo]_{160-michaelangelo} ’s women]_{3987-michaelangelo ’s women}]_{3986-some of michaelangelo ’s women} , but [even stranger]_{3988-even stranger} — [a superb creature]_{3989-a superb creature} . ”_[145-hamlin] The revelation of [[her]_146-perry maid]_{694-her maid} ’s beauty by so great an authority as [Hamlin]_145-hamlin quite dazzled and delighted [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ All [[our]_3990-our servants]_{3991-our servants} are handsome , ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry said ; “ [the cook]_{3867-the cook} ’s the finest Leonardo da Vinci type — when [you]_145-hamlin see [her]_{3867-the cook} [you]_145-hamlin will want to do [her]_{3867-the cook} picture , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [Venus Mystica]_{172-venus mystica} , ”_[146-perry] and [Mrs Melton Perry]_146-perry set [her]_146-perry meagre features and wide‐opening mouth into a mystic smile , intimating that [she]_146-perry knew a great deal about [Venus Mystica]_{172-venus mystica} , and [[her]_146-perry guest]_{695-her guest} doubtless likewise . “ And [the footman]_{3993-the footman} ”_[146-perry] . . . [she]_146-perry went on . “ Errand‐boy , ”_[146-perry] corrected [Mr Perry]_152-perry , suddenly , emboldened by [[his]_152-perry friend]_{696-his friend} ’s presence . “ [The footman]_{3993-the footman} is quite a type of manly beauty — [a young Hercules,—such a neck and shoulders and arms]_{3995-a young hercules,—such a neck and shoulders and arms} — and a head like a cameo . [I]_146-perry always make it a rule to engage only [handsome servants]_{3996-handsome servants} , because it spiritualises the minds of [[our]_3997-our children]_{3998-our children} to be brought up constantly surrounded by beautiful human forms . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin see , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin drily , entirely neglecting [his]_145-hamlin opportunity of making the usual reply to this remark — namely , that [the young Perrys]_{697-the young perrys} were so abundantly provided with beautiful human form in [the person of [[their]_{697-the young perrys} mother]_{699-their mother}]_{698-the person of their mother} that any other was superfluous . “ [That girl [you]_145-hamlin noticed]_{3999-that girl you noticed} has rather a curious history , ”_[152-perry] said [Perry]_152-perry . “ Indeed ! ”_[152-perry] answered [Hamlin;“she]_{173-hamlin;“she} looks as if [she]_{3999-that girl you noticed} ought to have some sort of tragic past — a kind of Brynhilt or [Amazon]_174-amazon . ”_[152-perry] “ It ’s tragic enough if [you]_145-hamlin like , but it ’s unfortunately not at all poetical , ”_[152-perry] replied [Perry]_152-perry . “ There is poetry in all suffering , [Melton]_152-perry , ”_{[700-his wife]} corrected [[his]_152-perry wife]_{700-his wife} gravely . “ Well , [this girl]_{630-this girl} is [the daughter of [a Scotch mechanic]_{4002-a scotch mechanic}]_{4001-the daughter of a scotch mechanic} , [a very clever fellow]_{4003-a very clever fellow} , [I]_{700-his wife} believe , who fell in love with [the Italian maid of [some old friends of [ours]_4006-ours]_{4005-some old friends of ours} , and followed [her]_{630-this girl} to [Italy]_1-italy]_{4004-the italian maid of some old friends of ours , and followed her to italy} . [He]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} got a very good position in [the docks at [Spezia]_14-spezia]_{4007-the docks at spezia} , but then [the other chaps]_{4008-the other chaps} caballed against [him]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} , and made [him]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} lose [his]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} place . [They]_4009-they had to live from hand to mouth for a long while , doing odd jobs for [the railway company]_{4010-the railway company} ; [he]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} squandered [his]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} money also on inventions , so , little by little , [he]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} and [[his]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} wife]_{700-his wife} and [children]_570-children got into great distress . Then [he]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} took to drinking , [poor devil]_{4013-poor devil} ! ( [I]_{700-his wife} ’m sure [I]_{700-his wife} should have done so long before ;) and one day that [he]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} had again been done out of a place by [some Italian scoundrel]_{4014-some italian scoundrel} , [he]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} tried to throw [[his]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} wife]_{700-his wife} out of the window , and then shot [himself]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} . It was a dreadful business . ”_{[700-his wife]} “ [He]_{4002-a scotch mechanic} was [a great republican]_{4016-a great republican} , [poor dear]_{4017-poor dear} , ”_[146-perry] added [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ [I]_146-perry ’m [a republican]_{4018-a republican} too , [a socialist]_{4019-a socialist} — quite a dreadful creature , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_[146-perry] “ What became of [the wife]_{4020-the wife} and [children]_570-children ? ”_[145-hamlin] asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [The children]_{3862-the children} had all died by this time , except [Annie]_171-anne ; and [the poor wife]_{4023-the poor wife} was quite broken in health . There was [a nephew of [the husband]_{4025-the husband} ’s]_{4024-a nephew of the husband ’s} , [a Scotch lad]_{4026-a scotch lad} , quite [a boy , who was awfully plucky and worked for [them]_{3862-the children} for some time]_{4027-a boy , who was awfully plucky and worked for them for some time} . Then [the widow]_{4028-the widow} died ; and [an old friend of [ours]_4030-ours]_{4029-an old friend of ours} , [old Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} , [the famous singer that had been — perhaps [you]_4032-you may have heard of [her]_{175-miss curzon} — took [Annie]_171-anne into [[her]_{175-miss curzon} house]_{4033-her house}]_{4031-the famous singer that had been — perhaps you may have heard of her — took annie into her house} . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [Darling Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} ! ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ [She]_{175-miss curzon} was [the noblest woman that ever lived]_{4034-the noblest woman that ever lived} . How [she]_{175-miss curzon} loved [me]_146-perry ! [I]_146-perry always say that [I]_146-perry lost [my]_146-perry voice — [I]_146-perry had a lovely voice before [my]_146-perry marriage — when [dear darling [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon}]_{4035-dear darling miss curzon} died . ”_[146-perry] “ [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} was [an excellent old woman]_{4036-an excellent old woman} , ”_[146-perry] went on [Perry]_146-perry : “ [she]_{175-miss curzon} took [Annie]_171-anne when [she]_171-anne was eleven , and kept [her]_171-anne in [[her]_{175-miss curzon} house]_{4033-her house} and educated [her]_171-anne till [her]_{175-miss curzon} own death two years ago ; ”_[146-perry] and [Perry]_146-perry sighed , as [he]_701-he peeled a hard white peach . “ Then [I]_146-perry said to [[my]_146-perry husband]_{4038-my husband} , ‘ [Perry]_146-perry , [this child]_{4039-this child} is a legacy to [us]_4040-us from [[our]_4040-us dearest friend]_{4041-our dearest friend} , ’ ”_[146-perry] went on [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , solemnly ; “ ‘ [we]_4040-us are not rich , but [Heaven]_158-heaven will send [us]_4040-us enough for [[our]_4040-us children]_{3998-our children} and [this child]_{4039-this child} ; and if it do n’t , why , [we]_4040-us must do without . ’ ”_[146-perry] “ So [she]_{4039-this child} has been with [you]_146-perry ever since ? ”_[146-perry] “ Yes , ”_[146-perry] answered [Perry]_146-perry , sharply ; “ and [I]_146-perry should like [her]_{4039-this child} to remain for [the children]_{3862-the children} ’s sake , only that [I]_146-perry feel [the girl]_{583-the girl} ought to look out for some better place . ”_[146-perry] And [he]_702-his turned rather gloomily to [[his]_702-his wife]_{700-his wife} . [Mrs Perry]_146-perry answered [his]_702-his look with one of sweet and ineffable astonishment . [She]_146-perry naturally viewed all [her]_146-perry property , [servants]_561-servants , [children]_570-children , [husband]_706-husband , & c. , as emanations from [herself]_146-perry — that is to say , from perfection , and consequently as more perfect than [other folk]_{681-other folk} ’s property , [servants]_561-servants , [children]_570-children , [husbands]_710-husbands , although occasionally falling short of this ineffable origin ; and [she]_146-perry accepted , with alacrity and pleasure , the belief in the transcendent beauty of [the nursemaid whom [she]_146-perry had shrieked at only a few hours before]_{711-the nursemaid whom she had shrieked at only a few hours before} . [She]_146-perry was quite reconciled to [her]_146-perry , evidently . “ And what is [this girl]_{630-this girl} ’s name ? ”_[145-hamlin] asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [Anne]_171-anne , ”_[146-perry] answered [Perry]_146-perry — “ [Anne Brown]_171-anne . ”_[146-perry] THUS it came about that [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin , of [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} , [pre‐Raphaelite poet and painter]_{712-pre‐raphaelite poet and painter} , made acquaintance with [Anne Brown]_171-anne , [nurse]_713-nurse , or as [Mrs Perry]_146-perry defined [it]_714-it , [[children]_570-children ’s maid at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini}]_{716-children ’s maid at the villa arnolfini} . The whole of the two following days , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin neither saw nor particularly remembered [the strange girl whose champion [he]_145-hamlin had constituted [himself]_145-hamlin against [the little Perrys]_{167-the perrys}]_{717-the strange girl whose champion he had constituted himself against the little perrys} . An old chaise , with an older pony , was produced from [the neighbouring farmhouse]_{718-the neighbouring farmhouse} , and [Mr]_719-mr and [Mrs Melton Perry]_146-perry took it by turns to drive [[their]_720-their guest]_{721-their guest} along [the dusty roads]_{722-the dusty roads} to [the old town of [Lucca]_9-lucca]_{723-the old town of lucca} , to [various villas]_{724-various villas} , and other sights of [the neighbourhood]_{725-the neighbourhood} . In the evening [Perry]_146-perry led [[his]_145-hamlin friend]_{696-his friend} out for a stroll among [the vineyards]_{727-the vineyards} and the olives , and across [the low hills covered with bright green pines and dark cypresses]_{728-the low hills covered with bright green pines and dark cypresses} . At the end of the third day , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , while smoking after dinner with [[his]_145-hamlin host]_{729-his host} , insinuated to [Perry]_146-perry that [he]_145-hamlin really thought [he]_145-hamlin must be pushing on to [Florence]_6-florence . A look of blank terror overspread [poor Perry]_146-perry ’s face . “ Nonsense ! ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin cried—“don’t say that ; do n’t leave [me]_145-hamlin in the lurch yet . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_146-perry see , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , hypocritically , “ [I]_145-hamlin intend going to [America]_7-america ; and [I]_145-hamlin really think [I]_145-hamlin ought to do a little work before leaving [Italy]_1-italy . ”_[145-hamlin] “ What sort of work ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ Why , [I]_145-hamlin suppose — [I]_145-hamlin think — [I]_145-hamlin ought to take this opportunity of working a little at one of [my]_145-hamlin pictures for the next [Grosvenor]_{176-grosvenor} . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Which picture ? ”_[146-perry] asked [Perry]_146-perry , eagerly . “ [I]_146-perry really scarcely know . [I]_146-perry suppose [I]_146-perry ought to be making some studies for [Circe]_177-circe and [the child Comus]_{4047-the child comus} . ”_[146-perry] “ Child Comus ! ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Perry]_146-perry . “ Why , [I]_146-perry ’ve the very thing [you]_145-hamlin want here at hand . Such a Comus for [you]_145-hamlin ! There ’s not a model in all [Florence]_6-florence will suit [you]_145-hamlin so well ; it ’s [[the farmer]_{4048-the farmer} ’s son]_{4049-the farmer ’s son} . Such legs , and such a chest ! ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t intend doing [him]_{4049-the farmer ’s son} naked , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , whose strong point was not anatomy . “ Naked or not , [he]_{4049-the farmer ’s son} ’s what [you]_145-hamlin want . The head , since [you]_145-hamlin do n’t care for legs and chest . [You]_145-hamlin shall have [him]_{4049-the farmer ’s son} to‐morrow ; and [you]_145-hamlin can work much better here than in [that swelter at [Florence]_6-florence]_{4050-that swelter at florence} — ”_[145-hamlin] “ In short , ”_[146-perry] burst out poor [Perry]_146-perry , “ do n’t leave [me]_146-perry yet , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} . [You]_145-hamlin do n’t know what it is for [me]_146-perry to have [you]_145-hamlin [here]_3884-here — [I]_146-perry feel quite [another man]_{4053-another man} . It seems to [me]_146-perry as if [I]_146-perry were ten years younger . The fact is , do n’t [you]_145-hamlin know , [a man]_{503-a man} ’s never the same when once married ; it ’s a weight round [his]_{503-a man} neck . Do n’t go away yet , [dear old Watty]_178-watty , for the sake of auld lang syne . ”_[146-perry] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin could not help being touched by the way in which [[his]_145-hamlin old friend]_{530-his old friend} threw [himself]_145-hamlin on [his]_145-hamlin compassion . [Poor old Perry]_146-perry ! How dreadfully dreary and broken‐spirited [he]_145-hamlin must be when all alone with [that awful wife of [his]_145-hamlin]_{731-that awful wife of his} ! “ Well , [I]_145-hamlin ’m willing enough to stay , if [you]_{530-his old friend} ’ll keep [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ That ’s right ! ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry , squeezing [his]_145-hamlin hand . “ Keep [me]_146-perry from growing into a turnip for a little longer , for goodness ’ sake . ”_[146-perry] So the next morning [the farmer ’s boy]_{732-the farmer ’s boy} was sent for , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin began , in a desultory way , to make some studies for [his]_{732-the farmer ’s boy} picture . The fact was , [he]_145-hamlin was so utterly indifferent as to all [his]_145-hamlin own movements , that it was an absolute relief to be pinned down to one place by [[his]_145-hamlin old friend]_{530-his old friend} . Accordingly [he]_145-hamlin unpacked [his]_145-hamlin things , and prepared to stay at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{734-the villa arnolfini} until [the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} should [themselves]_{167-the perrys} return to [Florence]_6-florence in October . Little by little [he]_145-hamlin got to arrange [his]_145-hamlin day so as to avoid as far as possible the dreaded tête‐à‐tête with [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ; spending the morning lying on the sear grass or the fallen fir‐needles under [Melton Perry]_146-perry ’s sketching umbrella ; and locking [himself]_145-hamlin up during the afternoon with the pretext of [his]_145-hamlin picture . Locking [himself]_145-hamlin up , and sometimes unlocking the door and letting [the lank and limp lady]_{735-the lank and limp lady} come and sit in [[his]_145-hamlin improvised studio]_{736-his improvised studio} , entertaining [him]_145-hamlin with [her]_{735-the lank and limp lady} views on life , poetry , art , love ; and invariably representing [herself]_{735-the lank and limp lady} as [the devoted slave of [a kind of fierce and gloomy lover‐husband of the Othello description]_{738-a kind of fierce and gloomy lover‐husband of the othello description}]_{737-the devoted slave of a kind of fierce and gloomy lover‐husband of the othello description} . During this first week of [his]_145-hamlin stay at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{734-the villa arnolfini} , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not lose sight of [[the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ’ strange nursemaid]_{740-the perrys ’ strange nursemaid} . [The girl]_{583-the girl} ’s exotic , and , so to speak , tragic style of beauty , had made a great impression upon [him]_145-hamlin , but a sort of impression such as only a temper entirely artistic could receive . [He]_145-hamlin was interested in [Anne Brown]_171-anne , but not in the whole of [Anne Brown]_171-anne . [He]_145-hamlin wished to see more of [her]_{583-the girl} , but to see more only of [her]_{583-the girl} superb physical appearance , and of that sullen , silent , almost haughty manner which accompanied it . As to anything there might be , intellectual or moral , behind [this beautiful and dramatic creature]_{742-this beautiful and dramatic creature} , [he]_145-hamlin did not care in the least , and would much rather have seen nothing of it . So far , [she]_{583-the girl} was striking , admirable , picturesque , consistent ; further details might merely spoil the effect . Hence it was that , although [he]_145-hamlin made several sketches of [her]_{583-the girl} head from memory , and although [he]_145-hamlin rhymed the first half of a sonnet upon the strange fate which had , to put it in plain prose , given the beauty of an Amazon to [a nursemaid]_{616-a nursemaid} , [he]_145-hamlin instinctively abstained from seeking in any way to renew the acquaintance which [he]_145-hamlin had made that first morning . [The picturesque and imaginative figure]_{744-the picturesque and imaginative figure} was just in the right light and at the right distance,—a single movement , and all the picturesqueness and strangeness might vanish . [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin had had but too many instances of the melancholy results of trying to approach and become familiar with creatures who had caught [his]_145-hamlin æsthetic and poetic fancy . [He]_145-hamlin often saw [her]_{583-the girl} hurrying ( if [she]_{583-the girl} might ever be said to hurry , for there was something wonderfully measured about [her]_{583-the girl} ) to and fro , filling up , it would seem , the gaps in [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s rather theoretical housekeeping ; and sometimes , passing through the ground‐floor passage , [he]_145-hamlin would also see [her]_{583-the girl} ironing , like that first time , or laboriously presiding over [the little Perrys]_{645-the little perrys} ’ lessons ; for it appeared that [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s intellectual guidance of [[her]_146-perry children]_{746-her children} consisted in telling [them]_{746-her children} the plots of novels and repeating choice poetry , leaving such mechanical matters as reading and writing to what [she]_146-perry called [a menial]_{3977-a menial} . And even more frequently [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would meet [her]_146-perry taking [the children]_{3862-the children} for a walk , or sitting in [the vineyard]_{646-the vineyard} sewing or reading , while [they]_{3862-the children} built [houses]_750-houses of leaves and sticks , and cooked dinners of maize‐grains and unripe figs . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin scarcely ever spoke to [her]_{583-the girl} ; and if [the children]_{3862-the children} forced [him]_145-hamlin to remain and examine [[their]_{3862-the children} houses]_{752-their houses} or [their]_{3862-the children} dinners , [he]_145-hamlin would watch [the girl]_{583-the girl} , but without the slightest desire of entering into conversation . [He]_145-hamlin wished to know only as much as [he]_145-hamlin could see of [her]_{583-the girl} . But this much which [he]_145-hamlin saw inspired [him]_145-hamlin with a kind of respect,—a respect not for [Anne Brown]_171-anne , [nursemaid]_{754-nursemaid} or nursery‐governess of [Mrs Melton Perry]_146-perry , but respect for [a beautiful and solemn kind of Valkyr or Amazon]_{755-a beautiful and solemn kind of valkyr or amazon} ; for there is no doubt that to certain temperaments not given to respect for social distinctions or religious institutions , or even the kind of moral characteristics held to be worthy of respect by [ordinary folk]_{756-ordinary folk} , there is something actually venerable in some kinds of beauty : [the man]_{757-the man} respects [the unknown woman]_{758-the unknown woman} as [a goddess]_{759-a goddess} , and respects [himself]_{757-the man} for having discovered [her]_{758-the unknown woman} divinity . So that , habitually and instinctively , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin displayed towards [the young woman]_{586-the young woman} a degree of courtesy which astonished the little Perrys , who had seen [young men]_{761-young men} flirt with [various of [[their]_{761-young men} mother]_{699-their mother} ’s carefully selected beautiful servants]_{762-various of their mother ’s carefully selected beautiful servants} , but never treat [them]_{761-young men} , as [Miss Mildred]_165-mildred expressed it , as if [they]_{761-young men} were funerals passing . All of which distant respect [Anne Brown]_171-anne received coldly , as if it were a matter of course ; showing astonishment only on one occasion , when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin answered , being requested to lift [little Winnie]_157-winnie into the branches of [an olive‐tree—“You]_{4055-an olive‐tree—“you} must first ask permission of [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ”_{[583-the girl]} [The girl]_{583-the girl} looked up from [her]_{583-the girl} work , and fixed [her]_{583-the girl} great greyish‐blue eyes upon [him]_145-hamlin in wonder . [No one]_{3899-no one} had ever called [her]_{583-the girl} [Miss Brown]_171-anne before . Thus things might have continued , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin have left [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} with only a few lines of a sonnet on the fly‐leaf of [his]_145-hamlin ‘ Vita Nuova’—a few scratched‐out sketches of a face with strange , curling full lips , and masses of wiry hair , in [his]_145-hamlin sketchbook — and a daily fainter remembrance of [[Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s nurse]_{766-mrs perry ’s nurse} ; when one day [he]_145-hamlin took it into [his]_145-hamlin head to construct a kind of medieval costume for [[his]_145-hamlin peasant‐boy model]_{767-his peasant‐boy model} , and accordingly went to [Mrs Perry]_146-perry for assistance in sewing together the various shreds of old brocade and satin which [he]_145-hamlin had bought at [Lucca]_9-lucca , the various bits of weather‐stained cotton which [he]_145-hamlin had obtained by barter from [the peasants]_{768-the peasants} . [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , lying languidly on a sofa in [her]_146-perry dusty boudoir , littered over with books and reviews , afforded [him]_145-hamlin a variety of valuable pieces of information upon harmonies of colours and the magic of folds ; but when it came to practical tailoring , [she]_146-perry smiled with reproachful gentleness , and , clapping [her]_146-perry hands , called out for [Annie]_171-anne . [Annie]_171-anne — that is to say , [Anne Brown]_171-anne — emerged from [an adjacent room]_{769-an adjacent room} , silent and sullen as usual ; but when [she]_171-anne understood that the job was for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [she]_171-anne seemed suddenly to develop a certain interest in it . The pieces of stuff were spread out on the drawing‐room table , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin proceeded to explain what manner of garment [he]_145-hamlin wanted , [Mrs Perry]_146-perry joining in from [the next room]_{3870-the next room} with various bewildering instructions . [The girl]_{583-the girl} immediately understood ; but the piece of work was complicated and tiresome . The stuff had several times to be sewn together , tried on to the live model , and then taken down‐stairs to be altered . “ Wo n’t [you]_{583-the girl} sit down and do it here , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin at length suggested . [The girl]_{583-the girl} hesitated for a moment , and then settled [herself]_{583-the girl} to sew at the table of [the empty drawing‐room]_{773-the empty drawing‐room} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin went into [the studio next door]_{774-the studio next door} , and tried to draw a little ; but [he]_145-hamlin felt [himself]_145-hamlin attracted to go and watch [the girl]_{583-the girl} as [she]_{583-the girl} leaned over the table , or sat with [her]_{583-the girl} beautiful head bending over [her]_{583-the girl} sewing . Every now and then [she]_{583-the girl} looked up to ask [him]_145-hamlin some question : a regal , tragic , out‐of‐our‐world , almost weird face , the contrast of which with [her]_{583-the girl} prosiac questions about seams and tucks was almost comic . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked at [her]_{583-the girl} as [he]_145-hamlin might have looked at [a beautiful cathedral front]_{776-a beautiful cathedral front} ; and [he]_145-hamlin began to feel that kind of anticipated regret at the thought of losing sight of something beautiful and rare , that almost painful desire to keep at least some durable likeness of it , which , in former years , had often tormented [him]_145-hamlin in the midst of the enjoyment of lovely things . [He]_145-hamlin did not see [his]_145-hamlin way to introducing [Anne Brown]_171-anne into any picture ; nay , [he]_145-hamlin perhaps did not even think of [his]_145-hamlin work ; but [he]_145-hamlin determined that [he]_145-hamlin must have a likeness of [her]_{583-the girl} to take away with [him]_145-hamlin . Accordingly , that same evening , as [he]_145-hamlin was seated with [the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} in front of [the villa]_{777-the villa} , watching the stars gradually lighting themselves in the bright metallic blue sky , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin suddenly turned to [[his]_145-hamlin hostess]_{558-his hostess} , and asked [her]_{558-his hostess} whether [she]_{558-his hostess} thought it would be possible for [him]_145-hamlin to make a sketch of [Anne Brown]_171-anne . “ [I]_145-hamlin may want [her]_{583-the girl} for a picture some day , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin added , half hypocritically . [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s enthusiasm was immediately kindled . “ Oh ! ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry exclaimed , “ paint a picture of [her]_{583-the girl} as [the Witch of [Atlas]_17-atlas]_{4056-the witch of atlas} , with a red cloak and red roses all about [her]_{583-the girl} , and a background of cactuses and aloes all twisting and writhing , and looking as if they gibbered . Do paint [her]_{583-the girl} like that , dear [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin — and [Mildred]_165-mildred and [Winnie]_157-winnie will do for attendant spirits . Begin to‐morrow — [you]_145-hamlin shall have [her]_{583-the girl} to sit to [you]_145-hamlin all day ; and [she]_{583-the girl} has such lovely arms and shoulders , [you]_145-hamlin must paint [her]_{583-the girl} in some kind of dress that will show them . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_146-perry think it ’s rather cool of [you]_145-hamlin to promise [Annie]_171-anne as [a sitter]_{4057-a sitter} in that way , ”_[146-perry] put in [Melton]_146-perry Perry—“especially with so few clothes on , [Julia]_170-julia . ”_[146-perry] “ Why not ? ”_[146-perry] asked [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , in astonishment . “ If [she]_{583-the girl} is beautiful [she]_{583-the girl} must be painted . [She]_{583-the girl} shall begin sitting to‐morrow morning . ”_[146-perry] “ [She]_{583-the girl} sha n’t do anything of the kind ! ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Perry]_146-perry , suddenly . “ [I]_146-perry do n’t see at all what right [we]_4058-we have to dispose of [her]_{583-the girl} . [We]_4058-we pay [her]_{583-the girl} wages as [a servant for [[our]_4058-we children]_{3998-our children} , not as a model for [[our]_4058-we visitors]_{4061-our visitors}]_{4059-a servant for our children , not as a model for our visitors} . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin never dreamed of [Miss Brown]_171-anne being in any way compelled to sit , ”_[145-hamlin] remonstrated [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , rather indignantly . “ [I]_145-hamlin only wanted [your]_145-hamlin assistance in asking whether [she]_{583-the girl} would . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Of course [she]_{583-the girl} will , ”_[146-perry] insisted [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ Why , [I]_146-perry wonder what great hardship there is in sitting for [one]_620-one ’s likeness ? Have n’t [I]_146-perry done it hundreds of times ? When [a woman]_{3960-a woman} is beautiful , it ’s [her]_{3960-a woman} duty ; that ’s what [I]_146-perry was always told . ”_[146-perry] “ It may be the duty of [a lady]_{3943-a lady} , [Julia]_170-julia , ”_[152-perry] answered [Mr Perry]_152-perry , gloomily , “ and it may be [yours]_170-julia ; but it is n’t the duty of [a servant girl]_{597-a servant girl} — the difference lies in that . ”_[152-perry] “ Well , ”_[146-perry] retorted [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , angrily , “ [I]_146-perry think [you]_145-hamlin do n’t show much appreciation of the honour of having [one of the greatest of living painters in [[our]_4067-our house]_{4068-our house}]_{4066-one of the greatest of living painters in our house} , [Perry]_146-perry . [I]_146-perry do , and [I]_146-perry shall see to [his]_{4066-one of the greatest of living painters in our house} having the proper model . ”_[146-perry] “ Please , [I]_145-hamlin entreat [you]_146-perry , dear [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ do let the matter go — it really is of no consequence ; and , indeed , it would be in the last degree distasteful to [me]_145-hamlin to have [an unwilling sitter]_{4069-an unwilling sitter} . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_145-hamlin shall have [a willing one]_{4070-a willing one} , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; ”_[146-perry] and [Mrs Perry]_146-perry walked off with dignity . [Melton Perry]_146-perry suddenly shook off [his]_779-i languor , and started after [[his]_779-i wife]_{700-his wife} . “ [Julia]_170-julia , ”_[779-i] [he]_779-i cried , “ do leave it to [me]_779-i — [I’ll]_779-i speak to [Annie]_171-anne — only do leave it to [me]_779-i . ”_[779-i] “ [I]_{700-his wife} see no reason for this , ”_{[700-his wife]} [she]_{700-his wife} answered . “ Then [I]_146-perry shall speak to [Annie]_171-anne at once , ”_[146-perry] replied [Perry]_146-perry . “ There ’s been far too much of this turning of [servants]_561-servants into [models]_4072-models in [this house]_{4073-this house} , ”_[779-i] [he]_779-i said , turning to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ca n’t be got to see that it is n’t at all the right sort of thing . [I]_779-i do n’t mind so much with the others , for [I]_779-i suppose [they]_561-servants ’re a parcel of sluts ; but [Annie]_171-anne is another matter . [I]_779-i do n’t mind it ’s being [you]_146-perry , [you]_146-perry know , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} ; but [I]_779-i object to the principle . [Annie]_171-anne ! [Annie]_171-anne ! [I]_779-i want to speak to [you]_146-perry a moment , ”_[779-i] and [Mr Perry]_152-perry went into [the house]_{509-the house} . After a moment [he]_779-i returned . “ [I]_779-i ’ve spoken to [her]_171-anne , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[779-i] [he]_779-i said . “ [I]_779-i told [her]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne was just what [you]_146-perry wanted for [the Lady Guenevere]_{4075-the lady guenevere} or [the Lady of [the Lake]_{18-the lake}]_{4076-the lady of the lake} , or [some lady or other]_{4077-some lady or other} — all a lie ; but [you]_146-perry see [I]_779-i did n’t wish [her]_171-anne to know it was merely because [she]_171-anne ’s handsome . [I]_779-i told [her]_171-anne [she]_171-anne was like a portrait of [one of [these persons]_{4079-these persons}]_{4078-one of these persons} . Please do n’t tell [her]_171-anne [she]_171-anne ’s not . [I]_779-i really expected [she]_171-anne ’d refuse ; and [I]_779-i said to [her]_171-anne , ‘ [Annie]_171-anne , mind [you]_171-anne do n’t let [the mistress]_{4080-the mistress} force [you]_171-anne into sitting ; do n’t do it to please [anybody]_4081-anybody . ’ [I]_779-i ’m really quite surprised , for [she]_171-anne ’s such [a very reserved girl]_{4082-a very reserved girl} always ; but then [she]_171-anne is [an obliging creature]_{4083-an obliging creature} too , and [I]_779-i think [she]_171-anne ’ll do more to please [me]_779-i than perhaps [[my]_779-i wife]_{3952-my wife} , because [I]_779-i always let [her]_171-anne understand that this is n’t a good place at all , and that [she]_171-anne ought to try for another . Well , [she]_171-anne says [she]_171-anne ’ll sit ; but not till after the ironing is done in the morning . [I]_779-i proposed half‐past nine — will that do ? ”_[779-i] “ Thank [you]_152-perry , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , putting [his]_145-hamlin hand on [Perry]_152-perry ’s shoulder ; “ [you]_152-perry ’re [a good old creature]_{4085-a good old creature} , [Perry]_152-perry . ”_[145-hamlin] [HAMLIN]_145-hamlin did not succeed in doing much that first sitting . [He]_145-hamlin had thought that [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s head would be an easy one to sketch ; but it proved just the reverse . Those salient and outlandish features , which [he]_145-hamlin had thought [he]_145-hamlin could catch in half an hour , were turned into caricature by the slightest exaggeration , and exaggeration was almost inevitable . [He]_145-hamlin made several beginnings , and scratched them all out ; and at the end of a couple of hours [he]_145-hamlin felt that [he]_145-hamlin positively could not go on ; [he]_145-hamlin had become quite fidgety over [his]_145-hamlin work . “ [I]_145-hamlin have bungled everything , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said at last , rising , “ and kept [you]_{783-such a model} here for nothing , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . The fact is , that [you]_{783-such a model} are far more difficult to draw than [I]_145-hamlin expected . ”_[145-hamlin] [He]_145-hamlin felt very humiliated at having , as it were , to confess [himself]_145-hamlin [a bad artist]_{782-a bad artist} before [such a model]_{783-such a model} . “ Try again , ”_[152-perry] suggested [Perry]_152-perry . “ [I]_152-perry daresay [Annie]_171-anne will sit for [you]_145-hamlin again — won’t [you]_145-hamlin , [Annie]_171-anne ? ”_[152-perry] “ If [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin wishes [me]_{583-the girl} to sit , certainly , ”_{[583-the girl]} answered [the girl]_{583-the girl} simply . “ [She]_171-anne is confoundedly difficult to draw , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , when [she]_{583-the girl} had turned [her]_{583-the girl} back . “ [She]_171-anne ’s difficult because [she]_171-anne ’s a kind of mystery , ”_[152-perry] explained [Perry]_152-perry . “ [I]_152-perry ’ve felt it ever since [we]_4086-we have had [her]_171-anne . [One]_620-one thinks there must be something behind that face , and yet it seems to be a mere blank . [My]_152-perry belief is , that [people of this condition of life]_{4088-people of this condition of life} often have very little character — at least [none in particular developed]_{4089-none in particular developed} . Because , after all , it ’s talking and jawing about things which do n’t matter a pin that develops [our]_4086-we character . [The people who have no opportunity for that remain quite without character]_{4090-the people who have no opportunity for that remain quite without character} , until some day [they]_{4090-the people who have no opportunity for that remain quite without character} are forced to choose whether [they]_{4090-the people who have no opportunity for that remain quite without character} ’ll be self‐sacrificing creatures or mean pigs . ”_[152-perry] “ There ’s something in that , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , tearing up [his]_145-hamlin abortive sketches in a huff ; “ but it is hard that [a man]_{503-a man} should be unable to copy the shape of a handsome face as [he]_{503-a man} would copy the shape of a handsome vase , without wondering what there may be inside . ”_[145-hamlin] The fact was , that the utter silence of [[his]_145-hamlin model]_{785-his model} , and [his]_145-hamlin own utter silence , except when begging [her]_{785-his model} to turn a little more in this direction or that , made [Hamlin]_145-hamlin nervous . [He]_145-hamlin had , of course , sketched and painted [scores of people who had sat as utterly silent as [Anne Brown]_171-anne]_{786-scores of people who had sat as utterly silent as anne brown} , but then [Anne Brown]_171-anne was not [a model of that kind]_{787-a model of that kind} . Indifferent as [he]_145-hamlin felt towards the hidden reality of [this girl]_{630-this girl} , [he]_145-hamlin was , nevertheless , fully conscious that [she]_{630-this girl} was a personality , something much more than a mere form ; or rather , the form itself was suggestive of something more . It would be an easy thing to have to sketch [Michaelangelo]_{160-michaelangelo} ’s Dawn , or [his]_{160-michaelangelo} [Delphic Sibyl]_{179-delphic sibyl} become living flesh , in utter silence with those eyes fixed upon one . If only [he]_145-hamlin could speak to [her]_{630-this girl} , or make [her]_{630-this girl} speak , [he]_145-hamlin was persuaded it would be much easier ; but for some unaccountable reason it seemed impossible to set up a conversation . One morning accident came to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s assistance . Strolling about after breakfast , [he]_145-hamlin found in [a corner of [the vineyard]_{646-the vineyard}]_{789-a corner of the vineyard} , where the trampled grass revealed the recent presence of [the little Perrys]_{167-the perrys} , a couple of books carefully buried under a heap of dead leaves just where [he]_145-hamlin chanced to walk . [The children]_{3862-the children} had evidently hidden them out of mischief . One was a cheap copy of [Dante]_180-dante , with notes — the other an Italian grammar . Turning to the fly‐leaf [he]_145-hamlin found , written in a curious hand , a stiff imitation of [English tradesmen]_{792-english tradesmen} ’s writing , the name “ [Anne Brown]_171-anne . ”_[145-hamlin] [He]_145-hamlin wiped the books , for they were wet with dew , and deposited them upon the window‐sill of [the nursery]_{793-the nursery} . At half‐past nine [the girl]_{583-the girl} came to [the studio]_{795-the studio} . [She]_{583-the girl} had been sitting a little while , when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , bending over [his]_145-hamlin work , suddenly broke the silence — “ [I]_145-hamlin find [we]_4092-we have [a common friend]_{4093-a common friend} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said . [The girl]_{583-the girl} , without stirring , opened [her]_{583-the girl} large eyes . “ [A common friend]_{4093-a common friend} ? ”_{[583-the girl]} [she]_{583-the girl} asked , with a scarcely perceptible agitation in [her]_{583-the girl} quiet manner ; then added , “ [I]_{583-the girl} suppose [you]_145-hamlin mean [Mr Perry]_152-perry ; [I]_{583-the girl} have n’t many [friends]_4095-friends now anywhere . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ Oh ! this is the friend of [a great many people]_{4096-a great many people} — [thousands]_{4097-thousands} — besides [ourselves]_4092-we , so [you]_145-hamlin need not feel jealous ; [his]_152-perry name is [Dante]_180-dante . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ Indeed ! ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne Brown]_171-anne , and relapsed into silence . But silence did not suit [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [I]_145-hamlin found two books belonging to [you]_171-anne in [the vineyard]_{646-the vineyard} early this morning , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin continued ; “ and [I]_145-hamlin put them on the nursery window‐sill . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Thank [you]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] replied [Miss Brown]_171-anne , in [her]_171-anne taciturn manner ; “ [I]_171-anne missed them last night . ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_145-hamlin was indiscreet enough to wonder whether [you]_171-anne and [I]_145-hamlin cared for the same things in [Dante]_180-dante , ”_[145-hamlin] pursued [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “ so [I]_145-hamlin ventured to open the book . [I]_145-hamlin found [you]_171-anne had marked the passage about [Provenzano]_{181-provenzano} . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Yes , ”_[171-anne] said [Miss Brown]_171-anne . “ How is it that [you]_145-hamlin marked [Provenzano]_{181-provenzano} , and did not mark [Ugolino]_182-ugolino , [I]_171-anne wonder ? ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_171-anne do n’t care about [Ugolino]_182-ugolino . [He]_182-ugolino was [a traitor]_{4099-a traitor} . ”_[171-anne] “ Do [you]_171-anne consider that [traitors]_{4100-traitors} ought to be starved to death ? ”_[145-hamlin] asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with a smile . “ [I]_171-anne do n’t think [any one]_{4101-any one} ought to be starved to death , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered very seriously ; “ it is too dreadful . But [I]_171-anne do n’t care about [Ugolino]_182-ugolino , because [he]_182-ugolino was [a traitor]_{4099-a traitor} ; and [the Archbishop]_{4103-the archbishop} was [a traitor]_{4099-a traitor} too . There is [no one]_{3899-no one} to be glad or sorry about . ”_[171-anne] “ And [Francesca da Rimini]_{183-francesca da rimini} ? Do [you]_171-anne find there is nothing to care for or be sorry about in [her]_{183-francesca da rimini} ? ”_[171-anne] A faint redness welled up under the uniform brown pallor of [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s face . “ [The husband]_{4025-the husband} was quite right , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , after a pause . “ [You]_171-anne are very severe , ”_[171-anne] remarked [Hamlin—“much]_{184-hamlin—“much} more severe than [Dante]_180-dante . [He]_{4025-the husband} was sorry for [them]_4107-they . ”_[171-anne] “ [They]_4107-they were quite happy , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered . “ [They]_4107-they did not mind being killed ; [they]_4107-they did not mind being driven about in the wind , of course”—then_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne stopped short suddenly . “ Why of course ? ”_[171-anne] and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin went on scraping at [his]_145-hamlin pencil . “ Because [I]_171-anne do n’t think [one]_620-one would mind , if [people]_577-people cared for one , being driven about in the wind like that . Lots of [people]_577-people have been driven about in revolutions , and put into [dungeons]_{4111-dungeons} together , and so on . If [they]_4107-they had put [papa]_185-papa in [prison]_4112-prison , [I]_171-anne should have wanted to go in with [him,”—for]_{4113-him,”—for[171-anne]} once [she]_171-anne spoke with a certain amount of vehemence . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked up from [his]_145-hamlin pencil‐cutting . The expression which [he]_145-hamlin suddenly met in [her]_171-anne face made [him]_145-hamlin feel that at last [he]_145-hamlin had what [he]_145-hamlin wanted . It was a curious mixture , possible only in those strange features , of a kind of passionate effort with dogged determination : the head a little lifted , cheeks and lips firmly set ; but in the eyes , and even in the curl of the close‐set lips , a sort of strain , as of [a person trying to inhale a larger amount of air , or to take in a larger sight]_{797-a person trying to inhale a larger amount of air , or to take in a larger sight} . In a second it was gone . “ That is what [I]_145-hamlin want ! ”_[145-hamlin] thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “ [the Amazon]_{4114-the amazon} or [Valkyr]_186-valkyr — as [I]_145-hamlin thought . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Tell [me]_145-hamlin why [you]_171-anne care for [Provenzano]_{181-provenzano} , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin went on , now much more interested in [his]_145-hamlin work again . “ Because [he]_{181-provenzano} was so proud , and did not like to do humble things , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered ; “ and yet [he]_{181-provenzano} begged in [the streets]_{4115-the streets} for a ransom for [[his]_{181-provenzano} friend]_{696-his friend} . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne showed no desire to say more , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was now engrossed in [his]_145-hamlin work . [They]_798-they exchanged but a few trivial remarks during the rest of the sitting . [The girl]_{583-the girl} seemed to have contracted a habit of silence , to break through which required a positive effort . When the sitting had come to an end , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin asked whether [she]_171-anne could possibly give [him]_145-hamlin another . [She]_171-anne hesitated . “ If [Mrs Perry]_146-perry wishes it , of course , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered . “ Excuse [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] corrected [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s consent may be necessary for [you]_171-anne ; but for [me]_145-hamlin , the sitting depends upon [your]_171-anne wishes , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_171-anne do n’t care one way or another , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered hurriedly . [Mrs Perry]_146-perry of course gave [her]_146-perry consent . [She]_146-perry had carefully collected and pieced the scattered remnants of yesterday ’s abortive sketches , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin found [her]_146-perry pasting them on to cardboard . “ Do let [me]_146-perry keep them , [dear]_4117-dear [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[146-perry] cried [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ; “ they are the most precious things [I]_146-perry possess . ”_[146-perry] “ They are horrible rubbish ; ”_[145-hamlin] and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin rudely tore them to shreds . “ If [you]_171-anne want something of [mine]_145-hamlin , [I]_145-hamlin will make [you]_171-anne a sketch of little [Winnie]_157-winnie — only please do n’t keep these fearful things . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Thank [you]_145-hamlin , thank [you]_145-hamlin so much ! ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne exclaimed—“but oh , may n’t [I]_145-hamlin keep this ? it is such a lovely head ! ”_[145-hamlin] “ It ’s the head of [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin answered angrily . “ [You]_171-anne do n’t care for it much on [her]_171-anne shoulders,—why should [you]_171-anne care for it on [my]_145-hamlin paper — an abominable caricature ? Really , [I]_145-hamlin must be permitted to tear it up”—and_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin tore it into a heap of little pieces . The next day but one [he]_145-hamlin had another sitting from [Anne Brown]_171-anne ; and [he]_145-hamlin was so pleased with [his]_145-hamlin drawing , that [he]_145-hamlin begged for permission to finish it in colours . During these additional sittings there was not much conversation . The Dante topic was perfectly worn to shreds , till at last it seemed as if it could be made to go no further . In despair , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin remembered the Italian grammar which [he]_145-hamlin had picked up together with the Dante . “ What do [you]_171-anne want with an Italian grammer ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked . “ [You]_171-anne surely do n’t require to study it [yourself]_171-anne , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_171-anne want to teach some day , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered . “ Do [you]_145-hamlin mean to teach [the Perry children]_{4118-the perry children} ? ”_[171-anne] “ Oh no — to teach , to be [a daily governess]_{4119-a daily governess} , what [we]_4120-we call a parlatrice here . It is not difficult . The lessons are all conversation . [Many English ladies]_{4121-many english ladies} want those sort of lessons . [I]_145-hamlin know [a girl]_{4122-a girl} , [the daughter of [[Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s dressmaker]_{4124-mrs perry ’s dressmaker} , who gives ten lessons every day , and and gets two francs a lesson]_{4123-the daughter of mrs perry ’s dressmaker , who gives ten lessons every day , and and gets two francs a lesson} . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Ten lessons a‐day ! But that ’s fearful . What awful slavery ! Surely [you]_145-hamlin do n’t want to do that ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_171-anne wish [I]_171-anne could . [I]_171-anne should be so happy . ”_[171-anne] “ Then [you]_145-hamlin want to leave [the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_145-hamlin want to give up being [a servant]_{4125-a servant} . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin paused , and looked at [this superb and regal creature]_{800-this superb and regal creature} . [He]_145-hamlin did not know what to say . “ [You]_{800-this superb and regal creature} do n’t care for [children]_570-children ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked at random . “ [I]_{800-this superb and regal creature} do n’t know . [I]_{800-this superb and regal creature} do n’t care for [these children]_{4127-these children} , ”_{[800-this superb and regal creature]} [she]_{800-this superb and regal creature} answered bluntly . “ [I]_{800-this superb and regal creature} thought [women]_3959-women always liked [children]_570-children . ”_{[800-this superb and regal creature]} [She]_{800-this superb and regal creature} smiled bitterly . “ Oh , ”_{[800-this superb and regal creature]} [she]_{800-this superb and regal creature} said , “ [children]_570-children are worse sometimes than [grown people]_{4131-grown people} ; and then one ca n’t resent it , or answer bad words , or strike them , just because [they]_570-children are [children]_570-children . ”_{[800-this superb and regal creature]} “ Then [you]_{800-this superb and regal creature} think [you]_{800-this superb and regal creature} would prefer being [a teacher of Italian]_{4133-a teacher of italian} ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ Oh yes , [I]_145-hamlin must become that some day ; [I]_145-hamlin study when [I]_145-hamlin have a little time . [A teacher]_{4134-a teacher} talks with [ladies]_4135-ladies , and talks about all sorts of things . ”_[145-hamlin] “ How do [you]_{800-this superb and regal creature} mean — about all sorts of things ? ”_{[800-this superb and regal creature]} “ About things — which are not things to eat , or mend , or clean,—about books , and places , and [people]_577-people . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin could not help smiling . “ Is that such a rare pleasure ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked , thinking not of [the girl with whom [he]_145-hamlin was talking , but of those weary æsthetic discussions which [he]_145-hamlin had left behind [him]_145-hamlin in [London]_4-london]_{801-the girl with whom he was talking , but of those weary æsthetic discussions which he had left behind him in london} . “ [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} used to talk about books to [me]_{583-the girl} — and about music , sometimes , ”_{[583-the girl]} said [the girl]_{583-the girl} . “ [She]_{175-miss curzon} made [me]_{583-the girl} read Shakespeare with [her]_{175-miss curzon} . That is long , long ago . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ And since then . Do [you]_{800-this superb and regal creature} never talk about such things ? ”_{[583-the girl]} “ Never . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ Never ? ”_{[583-the girl]} [Anne Brown]_171-anne raised [her]_171-anne eyes quietly . “ Never , except with [you]_145-hamlin , [sir]_3865-sir . ”_[171-anne] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not answer . Towards the end of the sitting , [he]_145-hamlin suddenly looked up . “ Have [you]_171-anne ever read the ‘ Vita Nuova , ’ [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked . “ What ’s the ‘ Vita Nuova ’ ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ It is a little book by [Dante]_180-dante , in prose and verse , telling how [he]_180-dante met [Beatrice]_187-beatrice , and then how [she]_187-beatrice died . It is much more beautiful than the ‘ Divina Commedia . ’ ”_{[583-the girl]} [She]_{583-the girl} looked incredulous . “ Is it more beautiful than [Bertran del Bornio]_{188-bertran del bornio} , where [he]_180-dante carried [his]_180-dante head like a lantern ? Or [Bocca degli Abati]_{21-bocca degli abati} , where [they]_4138-they all change into snakes ? Or [Cacciaguida]_{22-cacciaguida} when [he]_180-dante prophesies about [Dante]_180-dante ’s exile ? ”_{[583-the girl]} “ It is quite different — all about beautiful things , and love . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t care for that . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_145-hamlin must read it some day , though . ”_[171-anne] [Miss Brown]_171-anne was silent , and relapsed into [her]_171-anne usual sullen appearance . “ [I]_146-perry say , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} , ”_[146-perry] said [Perry]_146-perry , as [they]_803-they walked up and down in [the garden]_{675-the garden} that evening , “ do [you]_145-hamlin care to see the festival at [Lucca to‐morrow]_9-lucca ? [I]_146-perry ’m going to take [the children]_{3862-the children} in for a treat , and [I]_146-perry shall take [Annie]_171-anne too — for [she]_171-anne never gets any amusement , [poor girl]_{4141-poor girl} . [I]_146-perry ’ve hired a waggonette — will [you]_145-hamlin be of the party ? ”_[146-perry] “ Will [you]_146-perry let [me]_145-hamlin think about it , [Perry]_146-perry ? [I]_145-hamlin do n’t much go in for festivals . ”_[145-hamlin] “ This is a picturesque affair — really worth seeing . ”_[146-perry] “ By the way , ”_[145-hamlin] asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ [I]_145-hamlin have nearly finished [my]_145-hamlin sketch of [Miss Brown]_171-anne , and [I]_145-hamlin should like — [I]_145-hamlin suppose [I]_145-hamlin ought — to make [her]_171-anne some little present . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_146-perry would n’t , ”_[146-perry] answered [Melton Perry]_146-perry sharply ; “ [she]_171-anne ’s [an odd girl]_{4142-an odd girl} , and [you]_146-perry might just hurt [her]_171-anne feelings . [You]_146-perry see [[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} was [a republican]_{4018-a republican} , and that sort of thing , so [she]_171-anne ’s got all sorts of notions about equality and so forth . Awful bosh , of course , but still [I]_146-perry think it ’s as well [she]_171-anne should have them as not . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin did n’t mean any money , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , feeling [himself]_145-hamlin grow red at the mere thought . “ Then , if [you]_146-perry will run the risk , give [her]_171-anne some school‐books . [You]_146-perry know [she]_171-anne wants to set up as [a teacher]_{4134-a teacher} . Grammars — that sort of thing . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin made a gesture of disgust . “ Horrible!—to give [her]_171-anne grammars ! ”_[145-hamlin] “ It ’s what [she]_171-anne wants . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Why , it would seem — well — it would be like encouraging [her]_171-anne to become [a daily governess]_{4119-a daily governess} . ”_[145-hamlin] “ That ’s just what [I]_145-hamlin wish to do . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not answer . The idea of [Anne Brown]_171-anne giving lessons at two francs the hour jarred upon [him]_145-hamlin . EARLY the following morning [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was awakened by the wheels of the waggonette and the bells of the horses . Then came the excited voices of [children]_570-children ; the sound of slammed doors and precipitate steps on the stairs ; and finally the rattle and jingle of departure . [He]_145-hamlin had declined being one of the boisterous expedition to [Lucca]_9-lucca , for [he]_145-hamlin detested [children]_570-children in general , and [the little Perrys]_{167-the perrys} in particular ; and a day in [the empty house]_{807-the empty house} ( for [Mrs Perry]_146-perry was going to see [some friends at [a neighbouring villa]_{809-a neighbouring villa}]_{808-some friends at a neighbouring villa} ) had seemed to [him]_145-hamlin delightful . [He]_145-hamlin opened [his]_145-hamlin shutters and saw , in the crisp pale‐blue morning , [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} sweeping round the corner of [a narrow lane]_{811-a narrow lane} , [the children]_{3862-the children} ’s hats , [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s red shawl , [the coachman]_{813-the coachman} ’s grey coat , brush rapidly along a tall box hedge . If there was a thing [Hamlin]_145-hamlin hated more than another , it was a holiday , [a crowd]_{814-a crowd} , a lot of [people on a jaunt]_{815-people on a jaunt} . After breakfast [he]_145-hamlin went to [the studio]_{795-the studio} and sat down before [his]_145-hamlin sketches of [Miss Brown]_171-anne . They were unsatisfactory , but they were as good as [he]_145-hamlin could hope to make them . [He]_145-hamlin had fancied that a coloured sketch of [her]_171-anne head would be all that [he]_145-hamlin could possibly want ; but [he]_145-hamlin now recognised that , after all , the head , beautiful and singular as it was , was yet the least part of the matter . It was [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s gait , [her]_171-anne way of carrying [her]_171-anne head and neck , [her]_171-anne movements when at work , [her]_171-anne postures when in repose — a number of things of which that head gave no indication , and which , indeed , it was difficult to render in painting , since it was all movement . [He]_145-hamlin had scribbled a few lines — just fragmentary metaphors and scraps of description — suggested to [him]_145-hamlin by [Anne Brown]_171-anne , and wondered what use [he]_145-hamlin would make of them ; indeed , what use [he]_145-hamlin could make of [Anne Brown]_171-anne altogether . Here was [a splendid model]_{818-a splendid model} , [a splendid heroine]_{819-a splendid heroine} , but [he]_145-hamlin was in the mood neither for painting nor for poetry writing . [He]_145-hamlin put a background of dark bay trees to one of [his]_145-hamlin sketches , and then regretted having put it in at all . [He]_145-hamlin no longer felt inclined to work ; and , all of a sudden , an unaccountable fancy struck [him]_145-hamlin to follow [the holiday‐makers]_{820-the holiday‐makers} — to go quietly into [town]_821-town — to see [them]_{820-the holiday‐makers} , without , perhaps , letting [himself]_145-hamlin be seen . The sun was already high as [he]_145-hamlin walked , or rather waded , along [the dusty road]_{822-the dusty road} , with [its]_{822-the dusty road} garlands of dust‐engrained vines hanging from tree to tree on either side ; [its]_{822-the dusty road} dust‐stifled marsh‐flowers in the ditch ; [[its]_{822-the dusty road} white farmhouses]_{823-its white farmhouses} , and white stone heaps , white upon white , brilliant , relentlessly white , under the deep blue autumn sky . Before [him]_145-hamlin [the bullock‐carts]_{824-the bullock‐carts} , with [sleepy drivers]_{825-sleepy drivers} prostrate on [their]_{825-sleepy drivers} back , moved in a white cloud ; a whirlwind of dust was raised by every cariole , heavily laden with singing and yelling [peasants]_826-peasants , which dashed past . Within sight of the rampart trees , like [a pleasant oasis of leafage in [the treeless green desert]_{828-the treeless green desert} of [the town]_{829-the town}]_{827-a pleasant oasis of leafage in the treeless green desert of the town} , [the crowd of vehicles of all sorts]_{830-the crowd of vehicles of all sorts} began . Under the red brick gate , with [its]_{822-the dusty road} statue of Justice and motto “ Libertas , ”_{[830-the crowd of vehicles of all sorts]} there was a perfect block of [carts]_831-carts , gigs , bullocks , horses , and [screaming country folk]_{832-screaming country folk} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin wriggled through , and slipped along in the scant shade of [the narrower streets]_{833-the narrower streets} — empty and desolate on that holiday — ribbons of brilliant light cut into , bordered by the black shadows of overhanging roofs and balconies . A great buzz of voices came from [the square of [the cathedral]_{835-the cathedral}]_{834-the square of the cathedral} ; [peasants]_826-peasants and [townsfolk]_{837-townsfolk} elbowing about , [people]_577-people at [booths]_839-booths yelling [their]_577-people wares , [boys screeching on whistles and trumpets]_{840-boys screeching on whistles and trumpets} , cathedral bell tolling , and all the neighbouring church bells clattering and jangling . From the windows of [the blackened palaces]_{841-the blackened palaces} fluttered strips of crimson and yellow brocade ; across [the street]_{842-the street} , from [balcony]_843-balcony to [balcony]_843-balcony , and from twisted iron torchholder to twisted iron bridle‐ring , were slung garlands of coloured lamps for the evening ’s illumination ; and in the midst of all rose [the cathedral]_{835-the cathedral} front , [its]_{822-the dusty road} tiers and tiers of twisted and sculptured pillarets , with the massive grey belfry soaring by [its]_{822-the dusty road} side into the high blue sky . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin pushed [his]_145-hamlin way in at one of the side gates ; a rolling of [organs , and quavering of choir voices , and clash of brass instruments]_{846-organs , and quavering of choir voices , and clash of brass instruments} ; a hot mouthful of heavy , incense‐laden atmosphere ; a compact moving human mass beneath the Gothic arches ; beams of light flickering among clouds of dust , and incense and taper smoke high in [the arched nave]_{847-the arched nave} ; constellations of lights on altar , and organ‐loft , and chandelier , yellow specks in the mid‐day twilight of [the cathedral]_{835-the cathedral} ; something tawdry , hushed , unbreathable , and yet impressive and beautiful . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin gradually made [his]_145-hamlin way to the side of the altar‐steps . [This part of [the cathedral]_{835-the cathedral}]_{849-this part of the cathedral} was full of [women]_3959-women — [provincial great ladies]_{852-provincial great ladies} , and [[shopkeepers]_{853-shopkeepers} ’ wives]_{854-shopkeepers ’ wives} and [daughters]_{855-daughters} in [their]_{854-shopkeepers ’ wives} Sunday clothes , brilliant caricatures of last year ’s Paris fashions — close packed together on reserved seats , enjoying the incense , the lights , the music , the holiness of the ceremony , the clothes of [[their]_{854-shopkeepers ’ wives} neighbours]_{856-their neighbours} , the appealing glances of [the young men in elaborate silk and alpaca summer coats]_{857-the young men in elaborate silk and alpaca summer coats} , with artistically combed‐up heads of hair , sucking [their]_{854-shopkeepers ’ wives} canes all about the altar . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s entry , however quiet , was soon perceived , and the eyes of all [this womankind]_{858-this womankind} were fixed upon the sight , rare in [that country town]_{859-that country town} , of [an Englishman]_{860-an englishman} ; and white silk bonnets , and black lace veils , and big red fans , and fuzzy yellow and smooth black heads , leant towards each other,—while questions went round in a whisper , who was [the forestiere]_{861-the forestiere} — [the handsome forestiere]_{862-the handsome forestiere} — small , slight , meagre , white , with the light hair and moustache , and that melancholy face like [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ’s ? [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was quickly bored by all this magnificence ; jostled to pieces , stifled by the heat , and incense , and heavy smell of [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} . [He]_145-hamlin was going out , when , as [his]_145-hamlin eyes wandered from the silver and lights of the altar , and the shining mitres and stoles of [the priests]_{865-the priests} , to that sea of heads and bonnets and hats in [the nave]_{866-the nave} , [they]_{854-shopkeepers ’ wives} were suddenly and unexpectedly arrested on the side steps of the high altar just opposite to [him]_145-hamlin . There , among a lot of heads , but high above [them]_{854-shopkeepers ’ wives} , was a head half covered with coarse black lace and crisp dark hair half turned away from [him]_145-hamlin ; a majestic sweep of cheek and jaw , a solemn bend of neck . A moment later the bell tinkled for the elevation of [the Host]_{867-the host} , the organ burst forth into a rapid jig , and [the church]_{868-the church} was a sea of bent heads , of [kneeling and stooping men]_{869-kneeling and stooping men} and [women]_3959-women . As [the people]_{871-the people} suddenly sank like a wave about the steps , there remained , stranded as it were , and rising conspicuous , [the tall and massive figure of [Miss Brown]_171-anne]_{872-the tall and massive figure of miss brown} . [She]_171-anne was standing on the altar‐steps , whose orange‐red baize cloth threw up faint yellowish tints on to [her]_171-anne long dress of some kind of soft white wool , while the crimson brocade on wall and column formed a sort of dull red background . In the mixed light of the yellow tapers and the grey incense‐laden sunbeams , [her]_171-anne face acquired a diaphanous pallor , as if of a halo surrounding it , as [she]_171-anne stood , [her]_171-anne hands hanging loosely clasped , looking calmly upon [the bowed‐down crowd below]_{873-the bowed‐down crowd below} . One minute , and the bell tinkling again , [the people]_{871-the people} rose with a muffled , shuffling noise , and hid [her]_171-anne from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . The organ and bells were pealing , the voices and violins rising shrill , the incense curling up in grey spirals into the sunbeams among the crimson hangings . The sonnet of [Guido Cavalcanti]_{189-guido cavalcanti} , about the Madonna picture , enshrined at Or [San Michele]_{24-san michele} behind the blazing tapers , and in which [he]_{189-guido cavalcanti} recognised [[his]_{189-guido cavalcanti} lady]_{875-his lady} , came into [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s mind , with the sound of the music and the fumes of the incense ; and together with it , a remembrance , a sort of picture , hopelessly jumbled , of [Laura]_190-laura in [the church at [Avignon]_25-avignon]_{876-the church at avignon} that Good Friday , and [Beatrice]_187-beatrice [among the blazing lights of the Heavenly Rose]_{877-among the blazing lights of the heavenly rose} . The Mass was over , and [people]_577-people began to stir and leave [the cathedral]_{835-the cathedral} . Why had [she]_171-anne remained standing while [all the others]_{880-all the others} had knelt ? Perhaps from some Scotch puritanism ; it was incongruous , thought [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . But at the same time [he]_145-hamlin felt that , while incongruous in one way — for [she]_171-anne ought certainly to have knelt like [the others]_{881-the others} — it had in another respect completed an effect ; [this disbelieving girl]_{882-this disbelieving girl} had [herself]_171-anne become , as it were , [the Madonna of [the place]_{884-the place}]_{883-the madonna of the place} . [He]_145-hamlin stood aside and let [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} slowly pass out . Suddenly [he]_145-hamlin saw , among the moving sea of heads , the flaxen curls of [the little Perrys]_{167-the perrys} — the reddish beard of [Melton Perry]_146-perry — the head , half covered with black lace and towering above the others , of [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne was leading [the two smaller children]_{886-the two smaller children} , and looked anxious in [that great crowd]_{887-that great crowd} . Up went one of the little yellow heads ; [she]_171-anne had taken [the child]_{660-the child} in [her]_171-anne arms . All of a sudden [her]_171-anne eyes caught those of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin standing close by , and yet separated from [him]_145-hamlin by an impassable gulf of [people]_577-people . [Her]_171-anne own lit up , and with [them]_890-them [her]_171-anne whole face , in a smile , which [he]_145-hamlin had never seen before . At last , near [the church]_{868-the church} door , [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} bore [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} straight towards [him]_145-hamlin . “ What ! here after all ! ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry . “ Up to some mischief , [you]_145-hamlin cunning dog ! ”_[146-perry] “ Up to the mischief of watching [these good people]_{4147-these good people} ’s devotion , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ Why did [you]_145-hamlin come ? ”_{[3862-the children]} asked [the children]_{3862-the children} eagerly . “ [I]_145-hamlin suppose because [I]_145-hamlin thought [I]_145-hamlin should like to amuse [myself]_145-hamlin after all , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [They]_{3862-the children} were out on [the cathedral steps]_{895-the cathedral steps} , in the full glare of the blue sky . Outside a fountain was playing , penny whistles and trumpets shrilled on all sides , and [the people at the stalls]_{896-the people at the stalls} shrieked and bellowed out [their]_{896-the people at the stalls} wares to [the motley crowd]_{897-the motley crowd} pouring out of [the church]_{868-the church} . [The children]_{3862-the children} cast eyes of longing upon the booths , decorated with tricolour flags and sprigs of green , full of gaudy dolls , and squeaking wooden dogs , and tin trumpets , and drums ; upon the tables , covered with bottles shaped like pyramids , and [china men]_{900-china men} , and Garibaldi busts , full of red and yellow and green stuff , and with piles of cakes with little pictures of saints stuck in the middle of them . “ Buy [us]_{3862-the children} something , ”_{[901-the little ones]} cried [the little ones]_{901-the little ones} to [[their]_{901-the little ones} father]_{902-their father} and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; and [they]_{3862-the children} squeezed through [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} , and began to hesitate before the varied splendours of the fair . “ [You]_{583-the girl} look very happy , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [they]_{3862-the children} were waiting while [the children]_{3862-the children} made [their]_{3862-the children} choice . For really [the girl]_{583-the girl} looked quite radiant,—an expression of unwonted happiness , of freedom and amusement , shone through [her]_{583-the girl} quiet , almost solemn , face , like sunshine through a thin film of mist , all the richer for being half suppressed . “ It is all so beautiful , ”_{[583-the girl]} [she]_{583-the girl} answered , looking round at [the square]_{906-the square} surrounded by [high black palaces]_{907-high black palaces} draped with crimson brocade , and terraces covered with green , and at [the cathedral]_{835-the cathedral} , carved like a precious casket , beneath the blue sky . “ Not more beautiful than at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} , surely ? ”_{[583-the girl]} [She]_{583-the girl} paused . “ No , not more beautiful ; but more — [I]_{583-the girl} do n’t know what . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ More cheerful ? ”_{[583-the girl]} [She]_{583-the girl} shook [her]_{583-the girl} head . “ Yes ; but not so much that ; more free — more — [I]_{583-the girl} do n’t know how to call it . ”_{[583-the girl]} [The children]_{3862-the children} were laden with lollipops and sixpenny toys . “ Come , ”_[146-perry] said [Perry]_146-perry suddenly , very cheerful , in [his]_910-he unaccustomed freedom from [his]_910-he better half , “ [you]_{583-the girl} must choose a fairing , [Annie]_171-anne . What will [you]_{583-the girl} have?—a doll?—a beautiful yellow ’ kerchief with purple flowers , warranted the very worst colours in creation ? some gingerbread?—a penny whistle ? No , [I]_910-he ’m sure [you]_{583-the girl} ’re dying for some literature”—and_[910-he] [he]_910-he turned to a stone bench under [a palace]_{911-a palace} , where twopenny books were piled up , and quantities of leaflets of ballads , and lives of [saints]_912-saints , and romantic histories , were strung to the wall . “ Oh ! ”_[910-he] [he]_910-he said , “ there ’s nothing for [Annie]_171-anne here — [she]_171-anne hates [saints]_912-saints and [knights]_4149-knights and poetry ; [we]_4150-we must get [her]_171-anne a book on the ‘ Rights of Man , ’ or a ‘ History of the French Revolution , ’ at [the bookseller ’s in [Via Fillungo]_{26-via fillungo}]_{4151-the bookseller ’s in via fillungo} . But this is just what suits [Hamlin”—and]_{191-hamlin”—and[910-he]} throwing down a heap of coppers , [he]_910-he filled [his]_910-he hands with printed leaflets . “ The tremendous adventures of [the Giant Ferracciù]_{4152-the giant ferracciù} , ”_[910-he] [he]_910-he read ; “ the lamentable history of [[Lucia]_192-lucia of [Lamermoor]_27-lamermoor]_{4153-lucia of lamermoor} ; the loves of [Irminda]_193-irminda and [Astolfo]_194-astolfo ; the complaint of the beautiful Fair‐haired One,—these are the things for [a poet]_{498-a poet} , ”_[910-he] and [he]_910-he stuffed them into [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s pockets . “ Do n’t be ridiculous , [Melton]_146-perry , ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ Ridiculous ! ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Perry]_146-perry . “ Who talks of things being ridiculous ? [I]_910-he ’m in good earnest”—and_[910-he] as [they]_913-they went along [he]_910-he began declaiming , with appropriate gestures , a ballad composed by [some printer]_{914-some printer} ’s prentice from the libretto of an old opera . [The children]_{3862-the children} shrieked with laughter at [papa]_3893-papa ’s voice and faces ; and [Anne Brown]_171-anne burst into a curious subdued laugh , which , although scarcely audible , was extremely childish . As [they]_913-they walked along [the narrow crowded streets]_{917-the narrow crowded streets} towards [the inn]_{918-the inn} where [they]_913-they were to have dinner , [Perry]_146-perry kept on ahead with [the two elder children]_{919-the two elder children} , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin hung back with [Miss Brown]_171-anne and [the two younger]_{920-the two younger} . “ Did [you]_145-hamlin like the ceremony in [the cathedral]_{835-the cathedral} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked , irresistibly drawn on to understand why [she]_171-anne had not knelt like [the others]_{881-the others} . “ It was very beautiful , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said ; “ and such beautiful vestments ! Did [you]_145-hamlin see the white and gold embroidery of [the bishop?—and]_{4156-the bishop?—and} the purple dresses of [the canons?—oh]_{4157-the canons?—oh} , it was lovely ! But it makes [me]_171-anne angry to see such things . ”_[171-anne] “ Why so ? ”_[171-anne] “ Because it is dreadful — don’t [you]_171-anne think?—to see [all those people]_{4158-all those people} kneeling down and believing in all that nonsense . ”_[171-anne] “ How do [you]_145-hamlin know it is nonsense ? It seems to [me]_171-anne very beautiful and consoling . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne turned [her]_171-anne big grey‐blue eyes upon [him]_145-hamlin . “ [You]_145-hamlin do n’t mean that [you]_145-hamlin believe in all that mummery ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked , searchingly and reproachfully—“you who have studied so much ; [you]_145-hamlin do n’t believe that [they]_{4158-all those people} can make [God]_195-god come down with [their]_{4158-all those people} mutterings and kneelings ? ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t believe it , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with some embarrassment ; “ but [I]_145-hamlin think it is very beautiful , and [those who do believe in it]_{4159-those who do believe in it} are very happy . ”_[145-hamlin] “ But [you]_145-hamlin do n’t think it is right that [people]_577-people should believe in falsehoods , and be [the slaves of [wicked priests]_{4162-wicked priests}]_{4161-the slaves of wicked priests} ? ”_[171-anne] “ How rabid [you]_145-hamlin are ! ”_[145-hamlin] laughed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ No , [I]_145-hamlin do n’t believe ; but [I]_145-hamlin like to see [others]_4163-others believing . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_171-anne do n’t ; ”_[171-anne] and after a minute [she]_171-anne added , “ Do n’t [you]_145-hamlin believe in anything at all ? ”_[171-anne] “ Perhaps [I]_145-hamlin do , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , fixing [his]_145-hamlin eyes upon [her]_171-anne . “ [I]_145-hamlin believe in beauty — [I]_145-hamlin believe that is the one true thing in life . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_171-anne do n’t know what [you]_145-hamlin mean , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered ; “ but it seems to [me]_171-anne dreadful that [people]_577-people should believe in [priests]_4165-priests and [kings]_4166-kings , and all sorts of lies . ”_[171-anne] [They]_922-they relapsed into silence . As [they]_922-they walked along , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin stole glances at [[his]_145-hamlin companion]_{923-his companion} , walking stately and serious like [a saint]_{924-a saint} or [a sibyl]_{925-a sibyl} by [his]_145-hamlin side . [He]_145-hamlin wondered what [this girl]_{630-this girl} would have been had [she]_{630-this girl} lived three or four centuries back . All this common modern radicalism distressed [him]_145-hamlin in [her]_{630-this girl} — it had no colour and no perfume . Yet , after all , it was but the modern accessory instead of the medieval . This was the way in which beauty and romance were wasted nowadays — wasted , [he]_145-hamlin thought , half consciously , yet not perhaps entirely , since it went to make up a characteristic whole . [Melton Perry]_146-perry took [them]_922-they to [the chief inn of [the place]_{884-the place}]_{927-the chief inn of the place} for dinner . [He]_145-hamlin let [each of [the children]_{3862-the children}]_{929-each of the children} choose whatever [she]_{630-this girl} preferred , ordered several bottles of Asti spumante , and gave it [them]_922-they to drink in champagne‐glasses . [The one or two furtive English spinsters who were sipping [their]_{931-the one or two furtive english spinsters who were sipping their tea and reading their “ murray ” at the other tables of the huge dining‐room , profusely ornamented with casts from the antique , and with cut‐paper fiy‐floppers} tea and reading [their]_{931-the one or two furtive english spinsters who were sipping their tea and reading their “ murray ” at the other tables of the huge dining‐room , profusely ornamented with casts from the antique , and with cut‐paper fiy‐floppers} “ Murray ”_[145-hamlin] at the other tables of [the huge dining‐room]_{932-the huge dining‐room} , profusely ornamented with casts from the antique , and with cut‐paper fiy‐floppers]_{931-the one or two furtive english spinsters who were sipping their tea and reading their “ murray ” at the other tables of the huge dining‐room , profusely ornamented with casts from the antique , and with cut‐paper fiy‐floppers} , looked up with surprise at the festive party headed by [Perry]_146-perry . After dinner [the two little ones]_{933-the two little ones} began to hang [their]_{933-the two little ones} heads in [the hot room]_{934-the hot room} , and gave signs of going to sleep . “ Good gracious ! ”_[146-perry] said [Perry]_146-perry , in a consternation , “ what are [we]_4167-we to do with [these wretched infants]_{4168-these wretched infants} ? [They]_{4168-these wretched infants} ’ll just prevent [our]_4167-we taking a stroll in [the town]_{829-the town} before returning [home]_4170-home . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_171-anne think the best thing will be for [them]_{4168-these wretched infants} to sleep a little , [sir]_3865-sir , ”_[171-anne] suggested [Anne Brown]_171-anne . “ [I]_171-anne will tuck [them]_{4168-these wretched infants} up on the sofa , and stay with [them]_{4168-these wretched infants} here while [you]_3865-sir and [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin take [Miss Mildred]_165-mildred and [Miss Winnie]_157-winnie for a walk . ”_[171-anne] “ But [I]_146-perry ca n’t think of leaving [you]_171-anne behind , [Annie]_171-anne , ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry . , “ [I]_146-perry know how much [you]_171-anne would like to see [the town]_{829-the town} . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_171-anne saw part of it this morning , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne swered ; “ and [I]_171-anne really would just as soon stay with [the children]_{3862-the children} [here]_3884-here . ”_[171-anne] There was no gainsaying [her]_171-anne ; so [the two men]_{935-the two men} sallied forth with [the two elder children]_{919-the two elder children} on a walk through [the crowded and bannered streets]_{937-the crowded and bannered streets} ; while [Anne Brown]_171-anne remained sitting in [the stuffy inn dining‐room]_{938-the stuffy inn dining‐room} by the side of [the torpid little ones]_{939-the torpid little ones} . When [they]_{935-the two men} were out an idea suddenly struck [Hamlin]_145-hamlin : this was the opportunity of getting a present for [Anne Brown]_171-anne . [He]_145-hamlin left [Perry]_146-perry regaling [the children]_{3862-the children} on ices at [a café opposite [the Church of St Michael]_{942-the church of st michael}]_{941-a café opposite the church of st michael} , which rose like a great marble bride‐cake into the bright blue sky , and made [his]_145-hamlin way to a bookstall which [he]_145-hamlin had noticed in the morning . [He]_145-hamlin asked for the ‘ Vita Nuova . ’ [The old bookseller]_{943-the old bookseller} looked over a number of little schedules in [his]_{943-the old bookseller} desk , and produced several copies , new and second‐hand . They did not please [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . At last [he]_145-hamlin displayed a tiny Giunti volume , just delicately yellowed by age , and bound in vellum . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin bought it , and secreted it in [his]_145-hamlin pocket , and then joined [Perry]_146-perry . [They]_{935-the two men} went to [the stable]_{944-the stable} , where all the carioles from [the country]_{945-the country} put up , and ordered the waggonette to be at [the inn]_{918-the inn} door in an hour . But as [they]_{935-the two men} were slowly mounting the wide stone staircase , with [the eternal plaster dancing nymphs]_{947-the eternal plaster dancing nymphs} tripping it on [each landing]_{948-each landing} , [Perry]_146-perry ’s eye fell upon a large bill pasted upon the opposite wall,—the playbill of [the Teatro del Giglio,—on]_{949-the teatro del giglio,—on} which , among the names of [singers]_950-singers , [fiddlers]_951-fiddlers , [chorus‐directors]_{952-chorus‐directors} , [scene‐painters]_{953-scene‐painters} , [theatre tailors]_{954-theatre tailors} , and [hairdressers]_{955-hairdressers} , streamed , in scarlet letters , the title “ Semiramide . ”_{[952-chorus‐directors]} “ Tò ! ”_[196-perry] cried [Milton Perry]_196-perry , with the Tuscan expression for a sudden bright thought ; “ what do [[you]_{935-the two men} two young minxes say to going to hear an opera for the first time in [your]_{935-the two men} lives]_{4175-you two young minxes say to going to hear an opera for the first time in your lives} ? ”_[196-perry] “ Oh , [papa]_3893-papa ! ”_{[165-mildred]} shrilled [Mildred]_165-mildred . “ Oh , [papa]_3893-papa ! ”_[157-winnie] echoed [Winnie]_157-winnie , catching hold of [his]_956-his knees — “ Not so quick ! ”_[196-perry] exclaimed [Perry]_196-perry ; “ [I]_196-perry ’m by no means so sure of it . What ’s to become of the two sleepy little worms ? ”_[196-perry] “ Send [them]_{935-the two men} [home]_4170-home with [Annie]_171-anne , ”_{[165-mildred]} suggested [Mildred]_165-mildred , promptly ; “ and [you]_196-perry ’ll take [us]_{958-the two tiny girls , propped up with cushions} [home]_4170-home later . ”_{[165-mildred]} “ Nothing of the kind , [[my]_196-perry young woman]_{4180-my young woman} , ”_[196-perry] [he]_196-perry answered sternly . “ If [any one]_{4101-any one} goes to the opera it shall be [Annie]_171-anne . Make up [your]_196-perry mind for that . ”_[196-perry] [The dining‐room]_{957-the dining‐room} was deserted . On a sofa near the open window lay [the two tiny girls , propped up with cushions]_{958-the two tiny girls , propped up with cushions} ; [Anne Brown]_171-anne , surly , flopping away the flies which buzzed about [them]_{958-the two tiny girls , propped up with cushions} , and reading a newspaper . [She]_171-anne was resting the paper on [her]_171-anne knees , and supporting [her]_171-anne head with one hand , while the other moved slowly with the cut‐paper flopper ; and in this position [the young nursemaid]_{959-the young nursemaid} struck [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as a resuscitation , but more beautiful and even stranger , of [one of [[Michaelangelo]_{160-michaelangelo} ’s prophetic women]_{961-michaelangelo ’s prophetic women}]_{960-one of michaelangelo ’s prophetic women} . “ [I]_196-perry say , [Annie]_171-anne , ”_[196-perry] ’ cried [Perry]_196-perry , “ what do [you]_171-anne say to taking [these two brats]_{4182-these two brats} to the opera this evening ? ”_[196-perry] [Anne Brown]_171-anne started up . “ To the opera , [sir]_3865-sir ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne cried , flushing with pleasure . “ Yes ; [these creatures]_{4184-these creatures} have never been . [They]_{4184-these creatures} ’re giving ‘ Semiramide ’ to‐night . [I]_171-anne think it ’s a good opera for [children]_570-children to begin with ; because it will teach [them]_570-children betimes the unhappy complications which are apt to result from murdering [[one]_620-one ’s husband]_{4187-one ’s husband} , and trying to marry [[one]_620-one ’s son]_{4189-one ’s son} unawares . [I]_171-anne ’ll take [the little ones]_{901-the little ones} back to [the villa]_{777-the villa} in half an hour , and quiet [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s feelings . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin will be delighted to accompany [you]_146-perry and mesdemoiselles [[my]_171-anne daughters]_{4192-my daughters} , to [the theatre]_{4193-the theatre} , and then bring [you]_146-perry [home]_4170-home . It wo n’t last late . ”_[171-anne] “ But , ”_[171-anne] exclaimed [Anne Brown]_171-anne , — “ oh , how good of [you]_171-anne , [sir!—but]_{4195-sir!—but} are [you]_171-anne sure [you]_171-anne would not like to stay for the opera [yourself]_171-anne ? [I]_171-anne could take [the little ones]_{901-the little ones} [home]_4170-home . ”_[171-anne] “ No , thank [you]_171-anne , [Annie]_171-anne . The fact is , [I]_146-perry never have approved of [Rossini]_197-rossini ’s music . Ever since [my]_146-perry earliest infancy [I]_146-perry have been shocked by its want of earnestness ; what [I]_146-perry like is a symphony in P minor , with plenty of chords of the diminished seventeenth . That ’s the right sort of thing , is n’t it , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? ”_[146-perry] A few minutes later [Perry]_146-perry went away with [the two little girls]_{962-the two little girls} , leaving [Mildred]_165-mildred and [Winhie]_198-winhie with [Anne Brown]_171-anne . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin accompanied [them]_{962-the two little girls} down‐stairs to the waggonette . “ [I]_145-hamlin will go to [the theatre]_{4193-the theatre} and secure a box , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ and order a trap to take [us]_{962-the two little girls} back . ”_[145-hamlin] “ All right ! ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry , as the waggonette rolled off . “ Mind [you]_145-hamlin do n’t let [those children]_{4199-those children} bore [you]_145-hamlin or worry poor [Annie]_171-anne too much ; and do n’t leave [them]_{962-the two little girls} alone the whole afternoon . ”_[146-perry] But , for some unaccountable reason , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did leave [them]_{962-the two little girls} alone the whole afternoon . After [he]_145-hamlin had secured the box and ordered [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} , [he]_145-hamlin felt a sort of unwillingness to go back to [the inn]_{918-the inn} , perhaps unconsciously , to sit opposite [[the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ’ nursemaid]_{965-the perrys ’ nursemaid} ; so [he]_145-hamlin walked about [the town]_{829-the town} till tea‐time , not troubling [himself]_145-hamlin to inquire whether [Anne Brown]_171-anne and [the children]_{3862-the children} might not prefer a stroll on [the ramparts]_{968-the ramparts} to the monotony of sitting for two mortal hours in [the inn dining‐room]_{969-the inn dining‐room} . AT dusk [they]_{962-the two little girls} hurriedly drank some of the thin yellow hotel‐tea ; and then hastened to [the theatre]_{4193-the theatre} across [the twilit street and square]_{971-the twilit street and square} , where the garlands of Venetian lanterns were beginning to shine like jewels against the pale‐blue evening sky . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin offered [Anne Brown]_171-anne [his]_145-hamlin arm , but [she]_171-anne asked [him]_145-hamlin to give it to [Winnie Perry]_199-winnie . “ [Mildred]_165-mildred shall take mine , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said—“that ’s the best way in case of [a crowd]_{814-a crowd} . ”_{[814-a crowd]} [A crowd]_{814-a crowd} , alas ! there was not ; [the liveried theatre servants]_{973-the liveried theatre servants} ( doubtless the same , in yellow striped waistcoats and drab gaiters , who carried out [Semiramis]_{200-semiramis} ’s throne , when the drop‐scene fell ) made profuse bows to [the little party]_{974-the little party} , and handed [them]_{974-the little party} at least half‐a‐dozen playbills , each as large as an ordinary flag . [The children]_{3862-the children} had never been in [a theatre]_{976-a theatre} before , and were in a high state of delight at the lights , the gilding , the red plush , the scraping of fiddles ; especially at being in a box , although the box on this occasion cost only about half as much as would a single seat in [an English playhouse]_{977-an english playhouse} . Gradually [the theatre]_{4193-the theatre} filled ; the boxes with [people of quality]_{979-people of quality} from [surrounding villas]_{980-surrounding villas} , [gentlemen displaying an ampleness of shirt‐front]_{981-gentlemen displaying an ampleness of shirt‐front} , and [ladies an ampleness of bosom conceivable only by the provincial mind]_{982-ladies an ampleness of bosom conceivable only by the provincial mind} ; the pit with [townsfolk]_{837-townsfolk} and [officers]_984-officers : [the whole company staring with eyes and opera‐glasses , talking , singing , rapping with sticks and sabres]_{985-the whole company staring with eyes and opera‐glasses , talking , singing , rapping with sticks and sabres} till the overture began to roll out , when [the audience]_{986-the audience} immediately set up a kind of confused hum , supposed to be the melody of the piece , and which half drowned [the meagre orchestra]_{987-the meagre orchestra} . Then the opera began — an opera such as only the misery and genius of [Italy]_1-italy could produce . There was a triumphal procession of six ragamuffins in cotton trousers and with brass kettle‐covers on [their]_988-their heads , marching round and round [the stage]_{989-the stage} , bearing trophies of paper altar‐flowers and coffee‐biggins ; there was a row of [loathsome females]_{990-loathsome females} , bloated or fleshless , in draggled robes too short or too long , shrieking out of tune in [[the queen]_{991-the queen} ’s chamber]_{992-the queen ’s chamber} — and four rapscallions in nightgowns and Tam‐o’Shanters , and beards which would not stick on , standing round the little spirit‐lamp burning in front of [Baal]_201-baal ’s statue ; there was the little black leathern portmanteau containing the Babylonian regalia , which [a nigger with a black‐crape face]_{993-a nigger with a black‐crape face} carried after [the Prince Arsaces]_{994-the prince arsaces} ; and there was [the “ magnificent apartment in [the palace of Nineveh]_{4202-the palace of nineveh}]_{4201-the “ magnificent apartment in the palace of nineveh} , disclosing a delicious view of [the famous hanging gardens]_{4203-the famous hanging gardens} , ”_{[993-a nigger with a black‐crape face]} as described by the libretto , and furnished solely with a rush‐bottomed chair and a deal table , the table‐cloth of which was so short that [Semiramis]_{200-semiramis} was obliged to lean [her]_{200-semiramis} arm on it to prevent its slipping off , which , however , it finally did . Moreover , an incalculable amount of singing out of tune and pummelling one ’s chest in moments of passion . No training , no dresses , no scenery , [no orchestra]_{995-no orchestra} . Still in this miserable performance there was an element of beauty and dignity , a something in harmony with the grand situation and glorious music : a splendidly made Semiramis , quite regal in [her]_{200-semiramis} tawdry robes , who showered out volleys of roulades as a bird might shower out its trills ; [another young woman]_{996-another young woman} , plain , tall , and slight , playing [the prince in corselet and helmet]_{997-the prince in corselet and helmet} , with quite magnificent attitudes of defiance and command , with bare extended arm and supple wrist . [The two girls who played the principal parts]_{998-the two girls who played the principal parts} were [sisters]_999-sisters , and although [they]_{998-the two girls who played the principal parts} had certainly never sung much with [a teacher]_{4134-a teacher} , [they]_{998-the two girls who played the principal parts} must have sung a great deal together ; and [their]_{998-the two girls who played the principal parts} voices and style melted into each other quite as if it were all a spontaneous effusion on [their]_{998-the two girls who played the principal parts} part . All the realities which money can get , dress , voice , training , accessories , scenery , utterly wanting ; but instead , in the midst of pauperism , something which money can not always get , a certain ideal beauty and charm . [Anne Brown]_171-anne was intensely interested in the performance ; indeed , quite as much so , though in another way , as [the children]_{3862-the children} . During the intervals between the acts , [she]_171-anne could speak of nothing but the story of [Semiramis]_{200-semiramis} , and wonder what would happen next . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin could scarcely help laughing at the concern which [she]_171-anne manifested each time that [the hero Arsace]_{1002-the hero arsace} was bullied by [the wicked Assur]_{202-the wicked assur} ; but [he]_145-hamlin could not laugh at the tragic way in which [she]_171-anne conceived the whole situation . To [him]_145-hamlin all that florid music of [Rossini]_197-rossini would already have destroyed any seriousness there might have been in the matter ; but to [Anne Brown]_171-anne it seemed as if all these splendid vocalisations took the place of the visible pomp and magnificence of [Assyrian royalty]_{1003-assyrian royalty} : for [her]_171-anne [the heroes]_{1004-the heroes} and [heroines]_{1005-heroines} , [the magi and satraps]_{1006-the magi and satraps} , were clad , not in the calico and tinsel of the theatre tailor , but in the musical splendours of [Rossini]_197-rossini . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , to say the truth , found the performance very wearisome ; [he]_145-hamlin had been bored by Semiramide too often with [Tietiens]_{1007-tietiens} and [Trebelli]_203-trebelli , to find it particularly interesting at [the Teatro del Giglio of Lucca]_{1008-the teatro del giglio of lucca} . [He]_145-hamlin sat looking on listlessly , not so much at [the stage]_{989-the stage} as at [the girl who was leaning out of the box before [him]_145-hamlin]_{1010-the girl who was leaning out of the box before him} , watching each movement of [her]_171-anne hand and neck , as [she]_171-anne devoured the performance with eyes and ears . But when at last there came the grand scene between [Semiramis]_{200-semiramis} and [[her]_{200-semiramis} son]_{1011-her son} , whatsoever was good in the performance suddenly burst forth ; [the two young women]_{1012-the two young women} sang with a sort of spontaneous passion , a delight in the music and [their]_{1012-the two young women} own voices and [themselves]_{1012-the two young women} ; and when , [Semiramis]_{200-semiramis} having let down [her]_{200-semiramis} back hair ( as [distressed heroines]_{1013-distressed heroines} always do ) from utter despair , [Prince Arsaces]_{204-prince arsaces} , not to be outdone , pulled off [his]_{204-prince arsaces} helmet , letting down [his]_1014-his or [her]_1015-her back hair also , and [the two]_{1016-the two} sank into [each other]_{594-each other} ’s arms and began the great duet , even [Hamlin]_145-hamlin felt in a kind of way that this was passionate , and tragic , and grand . [Anne Brown]_171-anne was seated sidewise in the front of the box , resting [her]_171-anne mass of iron‐black hair on [her]_171-anne hand , [her]_171-anne other hand lying loosely on [her]_171-anne knees . [Her]_171-anne chest heaved under [her]_171-anne lace mantilla , and [her]_171-anne parted lips quivered . It seemed to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as if this were the real [Semiramis]_{200-semiramis} , [the real mysterious king‐woman of antiquity]_{1018-the real mysterious king‐woman of antiquity} — as if the music belonged in some sort of ideal way to [her]_171-anne . When the curtain had fallen amid the yells of applause , [she]_171-anne remained silent , letting [Hamlin]_145-hamlin help [her]_171-anne on with [her]_171-anne shawl without turning [her]_171-anne eyes from [the stage]_{989-the stage} . The lights were rapidly put out . “ [We]_4204-we must go , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ otherwise [we]_4204-we shall be left in the dark . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne turned , took [little Winnie]_199-winnie by the hand , and followed [him]_145-hamlin , who led [the elder Perry child]_{1020-the elder perry child} , prattling loudly , to the stairs . There was [a great crowd going down]_{1021-a great crowd going down} , whistling and humming tunes from the opera . From the force of habit [Hamlin]_145-hamlin again offered [Anne Brown]_171-anne [his]_145-hamlin arm . But instead of accepting it , [she]_171-anne , so to speak , rapidly plucked [little Winnie]_199-winnie from the ground , and raised [her]_199-winnie in [her]_171-anne arms as if [she]_199-winnie were a feather . “ Please let [me]_145-hamlin carry [that child]_{4205-that child} , ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ Oh no , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered quietly . “ [I]_171-anne do n’t mind carrying [her]_{4205-that child} at all ; but [she]_{4205-that child} ’s too heavy for [you]_145-hamlin , [sir]_3865-sir . ”_[171-anne] Out in [the square]_{906-the square} [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} was awaiting [them]_1024-they in the bright starlight , where the red and green lamps were already dying out among the plane‐trees . In a minute [they]_1024-they were rattling through [the narrow streets]_{1025-the narrow streets} , and out of [the town]_{829-the town} by the dark tree‐masses of the bastions . The bells of the horses jingled as [they]_1024-they went ; the melancholy shrilling of insects rose from [the fields]_{1027-the fields} all round ; the vine‐garlands creaked in the wind . [The two children]_{1028-the two children} were speedily asleep — one with [her]_1029-her head on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s shoulder , [the other]_{1030-the other} wrapped in [[her]_1029-her nurse]_{669-her nurse} ’s shawl . [Anne Brown]_171-anne bent over the side of the waggonette , a dark outline , the damp night breeze catching [her]_171-anne hair . [Neither]_1032-neither spoke . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin felt a sense of guilt stealing over [him]_145-hamlin ; of guilt for nothing very definite ; of guilt towards [no one else]_{1033-no one else} , but towards [himself]_145-hamlin . The drive passed like a dream . Suddenly the wheels grated on the gravel of [the villa garden]_{1034-the villa garden} ; dogs barked ; lights appeared ; [the children]_{3862-the children} were lifted out of [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} asleep ; and the voice of [Perry]_199-winnie whispered to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin — “ [I]_199-winnie caught it nicely when [I]_199-winnie came [home]_4170-home — [I]_199-winnie do n’t know why , upon [my]_199-winnie soul ! [I]_199-winnie ’m sure [I]_199-winnie wish [I]_199-winnie had remained and amused [myself]_199-winnie with [you]_145-hamlin . ”_[199-winnie] “ [I]_145-hamlin wish [you]_199-winnie had , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin quite seriously , always with the sense of vague guilt towards [himself]_145-hamlin ; then added , — “ By the way , [old man]_{3958-old man} , [I]_199-winnie fear [I]_199-winnie really must go on to [Florence]_6-florence to‐morrow afternoon . ”_[199-winnie] [PERRY]_199-winnie could not at first understand [[his]_145-hamlin friend]_{696-his friend} ’s sudden decision , and violently combated it . But after a little while [he]_145-hamlin said to [himself]_145-hamlin that it must have been fearfully dull for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} , and that to have stayed so long was already much more than a miserable being like [himself]_145-hamlin could expect . So that when [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} nearly went into hysterics at the notion of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin — [[their]_1039-they poet‐painter]_{1040-their poet‐painter} , as [she]_{700-his wife} called [him]_145-hamlin — suddenly departing , [he]_145-hamlin represented to [her]_{700-his wife} , with more emphasis than was [his]_145-hamlin wo nt , that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had bored [himself]_145-hamlin to death , and must be bored no longer . “ And where are [you]_145-hamlin going ? ”_{[1041-the limp and sapphic lady]} asked [the limp and Sapphic lady]_{1041-the limp and sapphic lady} , as [they]_1039-they sat at lunch . “ [I]_145-hamlin have no notion , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [I]_145-hamlin know nothing beyond [Florence]_6-florence for three days . [I]_145-hamlin may go on to [Rome]_28-rome , [Naples]_29-naples , [Egypt]_30-egypt , [America]_7-america , [Japan]_31-japan , or return to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} . [I]_145-hamlin have no notion . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Ah , [these poets]_{4209-these poets} ! ”_[146-perry] cried [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ; “ [they]_{4209-these poets} never can tell whither [their]_{4209-these poets} soul may waft [their]_{4209-these poets} body . ”_[146-perry] When [they]_1039-they had finished , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin asked whether [he]_145-hamlin might say good‐bye to [Anne Brown]_171-anne . “ [I]_145-hamlin have a little farewell gift to make [her]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin explained . [Anne Brown]_171-anne was summoned into [the studio]_{795-the studio} ; [she]_171-anne evidently had only just heard the news . “ Are [you]_145-hamlin going away , [sir]_3865-sir , really ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked . “ Yes , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , drily ; “ [I]_145-hamlin expect the gig must be waiting for [me]_145-hamlin already . ”_[145-hamlin] “ And — are [you]_145-hamlin not going to return , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ Oh no ; [I]_171-anne think [I]_171-anne shall go to [America]_7-america this winter . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne was silent , and stood by the table in the attitude of [a servant waiting for further orders]_{1043-a servant waiting for further orders} . “ Before [I]_145-hamlin go away , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ [I]_145-hamlin want to thank [you]_171-anne , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , for [your]_171-anne kindness and patience , which have enabled [me]_145-hamlin to make a sketch which will be very valuable for one of [my]_145-hamlin next pictures , and , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin added , as [she]_171-anne merely nodded [her]_171-anne head , “ [I]_171-anne want to beg [you]_171-anne to accept a little gift in remembrance of all the trouble [I]_171-anne have given [you]_171-anne . ”_[171-anne] [Anne Brown]_171-anne flushed , and [her]_171-anne face suddenly changed , as if a whip‐cord had passed across it . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin took the little vellum‐bound volume from [his]_145-hamlin pocket . “ [You]_171-anne told [me]_145-hamlin [you]_171-anne had never read the ‘ Vita Nuova , ’ [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ so [I]_145-hamlin venture to ask [you]_171-anne to accept this copy of it . [I]_145-hamlin do n’t know whether [you]_171-anne like old books ; [I]_145-hamlin think them much prettier to look at . Good‐bye . ”_[145-hamlin] [The girl]_{583-the girl} ’s face cleared into a kind of radiance . “ Thank [you]_145-hamlin so much , ”_{[583-the girl]} [she]_{583-the girl} said ; “ [I]_{583-the girl} will read it often . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ And think of [me]_145-hamlin sometimes and the trouble [I]_145-hamlin gave [you]_145-hamlin ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ It was [my]_{583-the girl} duty , since [Mrs Perry]_146-perry wished it , [sir]_3865-sir . Good‐bye — a good journey to [you]_145-hamlin . ”_{[583-the girl]} “ Good‐bye , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ”_{[583-the girl]} [WALTER HAMLIN]_145-hamlin did not go to [America]_7-america . On leaving [the Villa Arnolfini]_{734-the villa arnolfini} , [he]_145-hamlin met at [Florence]_6-florence [some artist friends]_{1046-some artist friends} , who , in [his]_145-hamlin condition of utter absence of plans , easily drew [him]_145-hamlin on with [them]_{1046-some artist friends} to [Siena]_33-siena and [Perugia]_34-perugia , thence into [the smaller Umbrian cities]_{1047-the smaller umbrian cities} , and finally into [a wholly unexplored region between [the Abruzzo]_{35-the abruzzo} and [the Adriatic]_{36-the adriatic}]_{1048-a wholly unexplored region between the abruzzo and the adriatic} . By the time that [their]_{1046-some artist friends} sketching and article‐writing expedition was at an end , the winter had come round , and more than three months had elapsed since [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had parted with [the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} . Would [Hamlin]_145-hamlin return with [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} to [England]_37-england ? [He]_145-hamlin had often said that [he]_145-hamlin had had enough of [Italy]_1-italy — that [he]_145-hamlin would go [home]_4170-home and shut [himself]_145-hamlin up in [[his]_145-hamlin studio at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith}]_{1051-his studio at hammersmith} , among [smoke and river‐fogs]_{1052-smoke and river‐fogs} , seeing [not a living creature]_{1053-not a living creature} , learning Persian and studying [Sufi poets]_{1054-sufi poets} until next spring , when [he]_145-hamlin would set off for [the East]_{38-the east} , never more to return to [Europe]_39-europe , except for [the Grosvenor]_{40-the grosvenor} private view . But when the moment for return [north]_1055-north approached , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin began to hesitate ; and the very day before [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} ’ departure , [he]_145-hamlin informed [them]_{893-his friends} that [he]_145-hamlin had come to the conclusion that there was still some work for [him]_145-hamlin to do in [Italy]_1-italy . “ [I]_145-hamlin shall be in [England]_37-england at the end of two months at latest , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said . And on [their]_{893-his friends} remonstrating at [his]_145-hamlin fickleness , [he]_145-hamlin merely answered — “ [I]_145-hamlin have a notion for a new picture , and [I]_145-hamlin think [I]_145-hamlin have found [my]_145-hamlin model for it . ”_[145-hamlin] “ ‘ The Queen of Night ’ in [[your]_145-hamlin portfolio]_{4212-your portfolio} , ”_{[1057-one of his friends]} suggested [one of [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends}]_{1057-one of his friends} . [They]_{893-his friends} had noticed and generally admired that strange head , the like of which none of [them]_{893-his friends} had ever seen before , and [they]_{893-his friends} had given the drawing , which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin described merely as “ [a girl near [Lucca]_9-lucca]_{4213-a girl near lucca} , ”_[145-hamlin] the nickname of “ [The Queen of Night]_{4214-the queen of night} . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Yes , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ that ’s the one [I]_145-hamlin ’m thinking about . ”_[145-hamlin] So [the rest of [the party]_{1060-the party}]_{1059-the rest of the party} set sail from [Civita Vecchia]_{41-civita vecchia} ; and one drizzly , foggy morning , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin got into [the train]_{1061-the train} to carry [him]_145-hamlin northward to [Florence]_6-florence . During those three months , [he]_145-hamlin could scarcely [himself]_145-hamlin have explained when or how , strange notions had come into [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s head , and a still stranger plan had finally matured in it . [He]_145-hamlin had been haunted by the remembrance of [[the Perrys]_{1062-the perrys} ’ nursemaid at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{734-the villa arnolfini}]_{1063-the perrys ’ nursemaid at the villa arnolfini} , and gradually taken to brooding and day‐dreaming about [her]_{1063-the perrys ’ nursemaid at the villa arnolfini} . [He]_145-hamlin had made up [his]_145-hamlin mind that [Anne Brown]_171-anne was [the most beautiful girl , in the strangest style , whom [he]_145-hamlin had ever met]_{1065-the most beautiful girl , in the strangest style , whom he had ever met} . What was to be [her]_171-anne future ? Of two possibilities one must be realised . Either this magnificent blossom was to be untimely [nipped,—this beautiful and strange girl]_{1066-nipped,—this beautiful and strange girl} was to fritter away [her]_171-anne life , unnoticed , wasted , to little by little lose [her]_171-anne beauty , [her]_171-anne dignity , [her]_171-anne grandeur , [her]_171-anne whole imaginative aroma ; or the rare plant of beauty was to be cherished , nursed into perfection , till it burst out in maturity of splendour , a thing of delight for the present and of wonder for the future . Either [Anne Brown]_171-anne must turn into [a sordid nursery‐governess]_{1067-a sordid nursery‐governess} , or into [the avowedly most beautiful woman in [England]_37-england]_{1068-the avowedly most beautiful woman in england} — that is to say , in [the particular pre‐Raphaelite society which constituted [England]_37-england to [him]_145-hamlin]_{1069-the particular pre‐raphaelite society which constituted england to him} . Yet not necessarily ; there was still a middle course — [she]_171-anne might marry [some small shopkeeper or teacher of languages at [Florence]_6-florence]_{1070-some small shopkeeper or teacher of languages at florence} ; or , perhaps , [some artist]_{1071-some artist} might notice [her]_171-anne , make [her]_171-anne [[his]_145-hamlin mistress]_{1072-his mistress} , perhaps [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} . This last thought of [Anne Brown]_171-anne as [the possible wife of [some other [Melton Perry]_146-perry]_{1075-some other melton perry} ( for [they]_{1075-some other melton perry} were all [Melton Perrys]_{167-the perrys} at [Florence]_6-florence]_{1074-the possible wife of some other melton perry ( for they were all melton perrys at florence} ) filled [Hamlin]_145-hamlin with a vague disgust and irritation . Much better that [she]_171-anne should end [her]_171-anne life as [a nursery‐maid]_{1076-a nursery‐maid} , or [a daily governess]_{4119-a daily governess} at a franc the hour . Still , it was dreadful to think that something so unique should be lost , wasted for ever . “ Such things must be , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin to [himself]_145-hamlin ; “ it is sad , but it ca n’t be helped . ”_[145-hamlin] And [he]_145-hamlin wrote two sonnets , “ Lost Loveliness , ”_[145-hamlin] and “ Stillborn Joy , ”_[145-hamlin] which were extremely beautiful , and quite among the finest [he]_145-hamlin ever wrote . But this did not despatch the subject . The sense of having made the most of the fact that this loveliness was to be wasted , this joy of beauty to be stillborn , did not make up for the consciousness that the waste , the abortion , had not actually taken place , might yet be prevented , and were dreadful in themselves . Was [he]_145-hamlin , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , to marry [Anne Brown]_171-anne ? [He]_145-hamlin shrank in terror from so Quixotic , and at the same time so commonplace , so school‐girlish a thought . But if [he]_145-hamlin did not marry [her]_171-anne [no other man]_{1078-no other man} could ; at least , [no other man who was to prevent the act of wastefulness to be consummated]_{1079-no other man who was to prevent the act of wastefulness to be consummated} . [She]_171-anne might marry [a clerk]_{1080-a clerk} , [a shopkeeper]_{1081-a shopkeeper} , even [a servant]_{4125-a servant} , or even [some miserable little Anglo‐Florentine artist]_{1083-some miserable little anglo‐florentine artist} ; but if [she]_171-anne married [a man above that]_{1084-a man above that} , [a man to appreciate and make the most of [her]_171-anne]_{1085-a man to appreciate and make the most of her} , [that man]_{1086-that man} must evidently be [himself]_{1086-that man} . It is difficult to follow the logic of this notion ; but certain it is that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin never doubted for a second that either [Anne Brown]_171-anne must bloom for [him]_145-hamlin and by [him]_145-hamlin , must be [his]_145-hamlin most precious possession and [his]_145-hamlin most precious loan to [the world]_{496-the world} — or that [Anne Brown]_171-anne must be simply and deliberately buried under a bushel . Such arguments are matters of character , [I]_0-i suppose ; be it as it may , the argument was absolutely cogent . When [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had got thus far [he]_145-hamlin stopped for a long time , revolving the matter in [his]_145-hamlin mind in a purely abstract way , without attempting to realise how things might be settled . [He]_145-hamlin was not [a man of action or of resolves]_{1088-a man of action or of resolves} , and would usually let things slip on and look at them slipping ; and during this ruminating condition , [he]_145-hamlin did not once seriously ask [himself]_145-hamlin whether [he]_145-hamlin intended marrying [[the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ’ nursemaid]_{965-the perrys ’ nursemaid} . But suddenly , the very day before [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} were to carry [him]_145-hamlin back to [England]_37-england , a new notion came into [his]_145-hamlin head . [His]_145-hamlin life seemed suddenly filled with romance . The matter was settled in a minute . [Anne Brown]_171-anne was to be filched triumphantly from oblivion : [he]_145-hamlin telegraphed [Perry]_146-perry to hire [him]_145-hamlin [rooms in [Florence]_6-florence]_{1091-rooms in florence} . As the meeting of certain chemical substances will sometimes produce a new and undreamt‐of something of wholly unprecedented properties , so ideas had come in collision in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s mind , and out of a mere perplexity had arisen a stranger scheme — out of the question what should be the fate of [Anne Brown]_171-anne , had originated the decision what was to be the future of [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin . The situations seemed changed : instead of [his]_145-hamlin being a mere possible , but by no means probable , instrument of a change in [her]_171-anne life , [she]_171-anne was the predestined instrument for the consummation of [his]_145-hamlin life . [Anne Brown]_171-anne should live for [the world]_{496-the world} and for fame ; and [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s life should be crowned by gradually endowing with vitality , and then wooing , awakening the love of [this beautiful Galatea whose soul [he]_145-hamlin had moulded , even as [Pygmalion]_{205-pygmalion} had moulded the limbs of the image which [he]_145-hamlin had made to live and to love]_{1093-this beautiful galatea whose soul he had moulded , even as pygmalion had moulded the limbs of the image which he had made to live and to love} . The idea , once present to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s mind , had been accepted at once ; and in another hour [he]_145-hamlin had worked out all the details of the real romance in which [he]_145-hamlin was embarking ; [he]_145-hamlin had determined exactly where [he]_145-hamlin would send [Anne Brown]_171-anne to [school]_1094-school , where [he]_145-hamlin would go during [her]_171-anne stay there , what settlements [he]_145-hamlin would make to ensure [her]_171-anne complete freedom of choice when [she]_171-anne should choose [him]_145-hamlin , in what part of [London]_4-london [he]_145-hamlin would buy [a house for [her]_171-anne]_{1095-a house for her} , which of [[his]_145-hamlin female relations]_{1096-his female relations} should have charge of [her]_171-anne , by whom [she]_171-anne should be introduced into artistic society;—he began to imagine all the details of [his]_145-hamlin long courtship . Beyond the courtship , into [their]_1097-their actual married life , [his]_145-hamlin fancy did not carry [him]_145-hamlin ; it was that year , or two or three years of gradually growing devotion , upon which [he]_145-hamlin cared to dwell . Whether such a scheme was wise or right it never occurred to [him]_145-hamlin to question . [He]_145-hamlin had determined on educating , wooing , and marrying [a woman like what [Anne Brown]_171-anne]_{1098-a woman like what anne brown} seemed to be , as [a man]_{503-a man} might determine to buy [a house in [a particular fishing or hunting district]_{1101-a particular fishing or hunting district}]_{1100-a house in a particular fishing or hunting district} — the only thing is to make sure whether [the particular house]_{1102-the particular house} is [the suitable house]_{1103-the suitable house} . The only further concern of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was to make sure that [Anne Brown]_171-anne was really all that [she]_171-anne seemed to [him]_145-hamlin to be ; and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked forward as to a kind of preliminary romance to the strange inspection , this minute examination of a creature who should never guess the extraordinary metamorphosis which might , or might not , be in store for [her]_171-anne . A WEEK later [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was painting [Anne Brown]_171-anne in [a studio which [he]_145-hamlin had hired for three months]_{1104-a studio which he had hired for three months} . [She]_171-anne had manifested some pleasure when , unexpectedly , [Mrs Perry]_146-perry had told [her]_171-anne of [his]_145-hamlin return , and of [his]_145-hamlin desire to have [her]_171-anne once more for [a model]_{1105-a model} ; but the manifestation thereof was so calm , or rather so mingled with [her]_171-anne usual haughty indifference , that [[her]_171-anne romantic and passionate mistress]_{1106-her romantic and passionate mistress} had forthwith made up [her]_{1106-her romantic and passionate mistress} mind that [Anne Brown]_171-anne was [a mere soulless body]_{1107-a mere soulless body} , and communicated that fact to [[her]_{1106-her romantic and passionate mistress} husband]_{693-her husband} . “ [I]_146-perry do n’t see why [Annie]_171-anne should be particularly delighted at the prospect of sitting for two hours , twice a‐week , with [her]_171-anne head raised and [her]_171-anne throat outstretched , in [a beastly cold studio]_{4215-a beastly cold studio} , ”_[146-perry] answered [Perry]_146-perry , affecting , as [he]_145-hamlin frequently did , from a curious kind of coyness , not to understand [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} ’s underlying meaning . “ [She]_171-anne is a mere soulless body , ”_{[206-mrs perry—“as]} repeated [Mrs Perry—“as]_{206-mrs perry—“as} indifferent to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as [a handsome cow]_{4216-a handsome cow} would be . ”_{[206-mrs perry—“as]} “ Do [you]_146-perry expect [her]_171-anne to throw [herself]_171-anne into [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s arms ? ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry , angrily . “ [I]_146-perry expect [her]_171-anne , ”_[146-perry] answered [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , with a kind of haughty mystery and sadness , “ to be [a woman]_{3960-a woman} . ”_[146-perry] “ And [I]_146-perry expect [you]_146-perry to attend to [her]_171-anne remaining what [she]_171-anne is — [an honest girl]_{4218-an honest girl} , ”_[146-perry] retorted [Perry]_146-perry . “ [Melton]_146-perry ! ”_{[700-his wife]} said [[his]_1110-he wife]_{700-his wife} solemnly ; and immediately poor [Perry]_146-perry ’s principles drooped like a furled sail . [Melton Perry]_146-perry had always an uncomfortable feeling of responsibility regarding [Anne Brown]_171-anne ; a sort of sense that , as poor old [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} had been grievously mistaken in intrusting [a girl like [Anne Brown]_171-anne]_{1112-a girl like anne brown} to [a lady so mystical and romantic as [[his]_1110-he wife]_{700-his wife}]_{1113-a lady so mystical and romantic as his wife} , [he]_1110-he , on [his]_1110-he part , [hardened sinner]_{1115-hardened sinner} , [social wreck as [he]_1110-he doubtless was]_{1116-social wreck as he doubtless was} , was in duty bound to make up for [the good old woman]_{1117-the good old woman} ’s want of discernment . If it had been any one except [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [he]_1110-he repeated to [himself]_1110-he , [he]_1110-he would never have permitted a single sitting ; but [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was [a Sir Galahad]_{1118-a sir galahad} — at least with regard to [servant girls]_{1119-servant girls} and suchlike — who had always struck [Perry]_146-perry dumb with wonder ; and in this instance in particular , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin seemed really to consider [Anne Brown]_171-anne much in the light of a picture by [an old master]_{1120-an old master} . Yet even thus , it had taken [him]_145-hamlin by surprise , and relieved [his]_145-hamlin mind of a heavy weight , when , the day before the first sitting in [the studio]_{795-the studio} , [Ham]in]_207-ham]in had asked [Mrs Perry]_146-perry to tell [him]_145-hamlin of [some elderly woman — some former housekeeper or nurse in [an English family]_{1123-an english family} — who could come to [[his]_145-hamlin studio]_{1124-his studio} and keep it in order two or three times a‐week]_{1122-some elderly woman — some former housekeeper or nurse in an english family — who could come to his studio and keep it in order two or three times a‐week} . “ [I]_146-perry can recommend [you]_145-hamlin [a most delightful young laundress]_{4219-a most delightful young laundress} , ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Mrs Perry]_146-perry with fervour—“quite a Palma Vecchio . ”_[146-perry] “ Thank [you]_146-perry , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , drily ; “ [I]_145-hamlin particularly want [an elderly woman who can take charge of [my]_145-hamlin things , and who can be there when — [I]_145-hamlin mean , who can take [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s bonnet and shawl when [she]_171-anne comes to sit to [me]_145-hamlin]_{4220-an elderly woman who can take charge of my things , and who can be there when — i mean , who can take miss brown ’s bonnet and shawl when she comes to sit to me} . ”_[145-hamlin] [Mrs Perry]_146-perry confessed to no knowledge of [such a person]_{1125-such a person} , but sat down to write to [the German deaconesses,—“such real saints,”—in]_{4221-the german deaconesses,—“such real saints,”—in[4221-the german deaconesses,—“such real saints,”—in]} quest of the desired piece of elderly respectability . But when [she]_146-perry had gone to [her]_146-perry writing‐table , [Melton Perry]_146-perry kicked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s foot under the table , and said in an undertone — “ [You]_145-hamlin are [a damned moral dog]_{4222-a damned moral dog} , certainly , [Wat]_208-wat . Thank [you]_145-hamlin so much , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} . ”_[146-perry] So [the old housekeeper]_{1126-the old housekeeper} was hired to go three times a‐week to [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s studio]_{1127-hamlin ’s studio} , and twice a‐week [she]_{1126-the old housekeeper} opened [the studio]_{795-the studio} door to [Anne Brown]_171-anne , and took [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s poke‐bonnet and grey shawl in the little anteroom , crammed full of dwarf orange‐trees , which opened into the pillared balcony circling round [the topmost floor of [the old palace]_{1131-the old palace}]_{1130-the topmost floor of the old palace} , and from which [you]_1132-you looked into [the lichened court]_{1133-the lichened court} , and saw the steel‐like sheen of the water in the well . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had determined to embody one of [his]_145-hamlin usual mystical fancies in [his]_145-hamlin new picture . [His]_145-hamlin pictures came to [him]_145-hamlin first as poems , and [he]_145-hamlin had written a sonnet descriptive of [his]_145-hamlin intended work before [he]_145-hamlin had painted a stroke of it . It was called [Venus Victrix]_{209-venus victrix} ; and the strangeness , the mysteriousness which gave a charm to [his]_145-hamlin beautiful church‐window‐like pictures , and made one forget for a minute the uncertainty of drawing and the weakness of flesh‐painting — this essential quality of the pictorial riddle depended very much upon the fact that [his]_145-hamlin Venus Victrix was entirely unlike any other Venus Victrix which the mind of [man]_1134-man could conceive . Instead of [the naked goddess]_{1135-the naked goddess} triumphing over the apple of [Paris]_42-paris , whom such a name would lead [you]_1132-you to expect , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin made a sketch of [a lady in a dress of sad‐coloured green and gold brocade , seated in a melancholy landscape of distant barren peaks , suffused with the grey and yellow tints of a late sunset]_{1136-a lady in a dress of sad‐coloured green and gold brocade , seated in a melancholy landscape of distant barren peaks , suffused with the grey and yellow tints of a late sunset} ; behind [her]_{1136-a lady in a dress of sad‐coloured green and gold brocade , seated in a melancholy landscape of distant barren peaks , suffused with the grey and yellow tints of a late sunset} was a bower of sear‐coloured palms , knotting their boughs into a kind of canopy for [her]_{1136-a lady in a dress of sad‐coloured green and gold brocade , seated in a melancholy landscape of distant barren peaks , suffused with the grey and yellow tints of a late sunset} head , and in [her]_{1136-a lady in a dress of sad‐coloured green and gold brocade , seated in a melancholy landscape of distant barren peaks , suffused with the grey and yellow tints of a late sunset} hand [she]_{1136-a lady in a dress of sad‐coloured green and gold brocade , seated in a melancholy landscape of distant barren peaks , suffused with the grey and yellow tints of a late sunset} held , dragged despondingly on the ground , a broken palm‐branch . The expression of [the goddess of Love]_{1137-the goddess of love} , since such [she]_{1136-a lady in a dress of sad‐coloured green and gold brocade , seated in a melancholy landscape of distant barren peaks , suffused with the grey and yellow tints of a late sunset} was , was one of intense melancholy . It was one of those pictures which go to the head with a perfectly unintelligible mystery , and which absolutely preclude all possibility of inquiring into their exact meaning . A picture which might have been one of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s best , only that it was never finished . For , it must be remembered , the picture , or rather the painting of it , was merely an excuse invented by [Hamlin]_145-hamlin for an opportunity of seeing , of examining , the creature whose future was in [his]_145-hamlin hands . [He]_145-hamlin wished to assure [himself]_145-hamlin that [Anne Brown]_171-anne was really the [Anne Brown]_171-anne of [his]_145-hamlin fancy ; and as [he]_145-hamlin stared at that strange and beautiful face , it was not in reality with the object of transferring it on to [his]_145-hamlin canvas , but to make sure whether it was really as strange as it seemed to [him]_145-hamlin . It was also to gauge whatever mystery there might be hidden in that singular nature . Whether [he]_145-hamlin ever did gauge it , it is impossible to tell . There was , [he]_145-hamlin felt , something strange there — something which corresponded with the magnificent and mysterious outside,—a possibility of thought and emotion enclosed like the bud in its case of young leaves — a potential passion , good or bad , of some sort . At [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s actual character it was difficult to get ; or rather , perhaps , there was as yet but little actual character to get at . [He]_145-hamlin became more and more persuaded , as [he]_145-hamlin sat opposite to [her]_171-anne , painting and talking — or , interrupting the sitting , playing to [her]_171-anne strange songs which [he]_145-hamlin had picked up in [his]_145-hamlin travels , and fragments of forgotten operas which it was [his]_145-hamlin mania to collect — that [Anne Brown]_171-anne was in reality much younger than [her]_171-anne years ; that beneath those solemn features there was [a still immature soul wrapped up in mere conventional ideas of right and wrong , a few inherited republican formulæ , and a natural pride which had grown , as does any protecting skin , physical or moral , where surroundings are for ever chafing and wearing]_{1138-a still immature soul wrapped up in mere conventional ideas of right and wrong , a few inherited republican formulæ , and a natural pride which had grown , as does any protecting skin , physical or moral , where surroundings are for ever chafing and wearing} . [A soul , above all , which had never yet sought for an ideal]_{1139-a soul , above all , which had never yet sought for an ideal} — had never loved ; and this knowledge was to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin a source of infinite satisfaction . It was a satisfaction , also , to notice how , little by little , whatever ideals seemed to bud in [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s mind , were connected with [him]_145-hamlin , or at least with the things which [he]_145-hamlin presented to [her]_171-anne imagination . Nay , with [himself]_145-hamlin , as [a person]_{1140-a person} not at all , but yet with the books , the music , the pictures about which [he]_145-hamlin talked to [her]_171-anne . [This studio]_{1141-this studio} , so unlike [the bleak and tobacco‐reeking workshop of [Melton Perry]_146-perry]_{1142-the bleak and tobacco‐reeking workshop of melton perry} , with [its]_{1141-this studio} curious carved furniture , [its]_{1141-this studio} Japanese screens , [its]_{1141-this studio} bits of brocade and tapestry ( rubbish which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would have blushed at in [London]_4-london ) , [its]_{1141-this studio} shelves of books and chipped majolica and glass , its quantity of flowers , was evidently a sort of earthly paradise to [the girl]_{583-the girl} . And [the handsome , pale , serious young man]_{1144-the handsome , pale , serious young man} , with womanishly regular feature and world‐worn look , who treated [her]_171-anne with a sort of protecting deference , who instructed [her]_171-anne in what [she]_171-anne ought to like and dislike , and at the same time asked with real earnestness for [her]_171-anne opinion , was evidently [its affable archangel]_{1145-its affable archangel} . This [Hamlin]_145-hamlin perceived to [his]_145-hamlin pleasure ; but , nevertheless , [he]_145-hamlin perceived also that all feeling , all ideas , were in [Anne Brown]_171-anne vague , immature , or merely potential — unless , indeed , [this tragic‐looking creature]_{1146-this tragic‐looking creature} repressed and drowned in the darkness of [her]_171-anne consciousness anything more definite and developed . [They]_1147-they did not talk very much , for [they]_1147-they were both of [them]_1147-they rather taciturn ; but what [they]_1147-they said acquired therefrom more than doubled importance . And of this talking [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did by far the greater share . [Anne Brown]_171-anne had indeed little to say — [a nursery‐maid of nineteen]_{1148-a nursery‐maid of nineteen} has not much to tell [a fashionable poet‐painter of thirty‐one]_{1149-a fashionable poet‐painter of thirty‐one} : slight descriptions of places [she]_171-anne had been to , [villas]_1150-villas , or bathing‐places , and one or two excursions from [them]_1151-them ; vague reminiscences of [old Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} , of the books which [she]_171-anne had made [the girl]_{583-the girl} read , the music [she]_171-anne had heard , the anecdotes of [Landor]_210-landor and [Rossini]_197-rossini and [Malibran]_211-malibran which [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} had narrated ; a few allusions , short and passionate , to [[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} ; a few more , sullen and dreary , to [her]_171-anne own future life;—that was all that poor [Anne Brown]_171-anne could say . For when [he]_{4143-her father} told [her]_171-anne the plots of novels , and repeated scraps of poems to [her]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne scarcely ventured to give [him]_{4143-her father} [her]_171-anne opinion . [She]_171-anne was so earnest that [she]_171-anne felt that only something worth saying should be said ; and what things worth saying could [she]_171-anne say to [him]_{4143-her father} ? “ By the way , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin one day , as [she]_171-anne stood , tying [her]_171-anne bonnet , and looking out over the sea of shingly roofs , the sudden gaps showing [shady gardens far below]_{1155-shady gardens far below} , open loggias , between whose columns fluttered linen , and irregular rows of windows with herbs in broken ewers on [their]_1156-their sills—“by the way , [you]_{4143-her father} have never told [me]_171-anne how [you]_{4143-her father} liked the ‘ Vita Nuova , ’ [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ”_[171-anne] [He]_{4143-her father} had talked of so many books , making [her]_171-anne wonder and sometimes laugh at [his]_{4143-her father} account of them , but never about that , nor about [his]_{4143-her father} own . “ It is very beautiful , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , still looking out of the window—“but do [you]_{4143-her father} think it is true ? ”_{[4143-her father]} “ Why not ? ”_{[4143-her father]} [he]_{4143-her father} said . “ [I]_171-anne do n’t know — [I]_171-anne do n’t think there are [men like that]_{4224-men like that} ; ”_[171-anne] then [she]_171-anne suddenly added , with a sort of melancholy humorous laugh , which was frequent with [her]_171-anne , “ [I]_171-anne will make [[my]_171-anne pupils]_{4225-my pupils} read it when [I]_171-anne am [a parlatrice]_{4226-a parlatrice} . [Those ladies]_{4227-those ladies} will tell [me]_171-anne [their]_{4227-those ladies} opinion . ”_[171-anne] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was looking at [her]_171-anne , as [she]_171-anne still turned [her]_171-anne massive head , with its waves of iron‐black hair , away from [him]_145-hamlin , towards the light . “ Good‐bye , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , with [her]_171-anne hand on the door‐latch . “ Stop a minute , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; and going to a book‐shelf , [he]_145-hamlin got down a little green‐bound volume . “ [I]_145-hamlin do n’t know why , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ but [I]_145-hamlin should like [you]_171-anne to read these . It is idiotic trash after the ‘ Vita Nuova’—but it is [mine]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Thank [you]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said . “ [I]_171-anne will bring it [you]_145-hamlin back next sitting . [I]_171-anne will cover the binding . ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_171-anne want [you]_171-anne to keep it . Wo n’t [you]_145-hamlin do [me]_171-anne that favour ? ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne reddened all over [her]_171-anne pale face . “ Thank [you]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said . “ ’ It is very good of [you]_145-hamlin . ”_[171-anne] IT so happened that as [Anne Brown]_171-anne was walking quickly [home]_4170-home [she]_171-anne was overtaken by [Melton Perry]_146-perry . “ What ’s that book , [Annie]_171-anne ? ”_[1158-he] [he]_1158-he inquired , as [they]_1159-they walked side by side . “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin gave it [me]_1158-he — it ’s [his]_145-hamlin poems . ”_[1158-he] “ Let [me]_146-perry see . ”_[146-perry] [Perry]_146-perry was more peremptory than usual . [He]_1158-he turned over the leaves as [they]_1159-they went along , and then returned it to [her]_171-anne . “ [You]_171-anne may read that , ”_[1158-he] [he]_1158-he said—“it ’s sad trash , but [you]_171-anne may read it . All poetry is n’t fit for [women]_3959-women to read , ”_[1158-he] [he]_1158-he added , by way of explanation . The gift of this book somehow disturbed [Perry]_146-perry ’s equanimity . “ What made [him]_145-hamlin give [you]_171-anne that book ? ”_[1158-he] [he]_1158-he asked . “ [I]_1158-he do n’t know , [sir]_3865-sir . [We]_1159-they were talking about the ‘ Vita Nuova . ’ ”_[1158-he] “ A lot of confounded medieval twaddle , ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry . “ Why do n’t [you]_171-anne read ‘ [Lady Audley]_{212-lady audley} ’s Secret ’ or ‘ The Heir of [Redclyffe]_44-redclyffe ’ ? that ’s the right sort of thing . ”_[146-perry] [She]_171-anne seemed hurt , and [they]_1159-they were silent . Suddenly [Perry]_146-perry said , with some roughness — “ [I]_146-perry ’m sorry to inconvenience [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , but this will be the last of the sittings . [I]_146-perry am going to send [you]_145-hamlin to [the sea‐side]_{4230-the sea‐side} with [the children]_{3862-the children} in a day or two . [Little May]_213-marie needs change of air . When [you]_145-hamlin return , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin will be leaving [Florence]_6-florence . ”_[146-perry] “ Yes , [sir]_3865-sir , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne Brown]_171-anne ; and a kind of suppressed spasm passed across [her]_171-anne face . [Perry]_146-perry saw it . “ It ’s high time , ”_[1160-he] [he]_1160-he said to [himself]_1160-he . [Melton Perry]_146-perry could not screw up [his]_1160-he courage till [he]_1160-he and [[his]_1160-he wife]_{700-his wife} and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had already finished dinner that evening . “ [I]_1160-he say , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[1160-he] [he]_1160-he began , lighting [his]_1160-he pipe , while [Mrs Perry]_146-perry artistically twisted a cigarette in [her]_146-perry long brown fingers—“d’you think [you]_145-hamlin could finish off that picture with only one more sitting ? [I]_146-perry ’m sure [Mrs Perry]_146-perry thinks it is time for [the children]_{3862-the children} to go down to [the sea‐side]_{4230-the sea‐side} — only , of course , [she]_146-perry does n’t like disturbing [you]_145-hamlin in [your]_145-hamlin work . ”_[146-perry] “ Go down to [the sea‐side]_{4230-the sea‐side} ! ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , not at all mollified by [[her]_146-perry husband]_{693-her husband} ’s deference ; “ who talks of going to [the seaside]_{4236-the seaside} ? and what has that to do with [his]_{693-her husband} work ? ”_[146-perry] “ [You]_145-hamlin forget , [[my]_146-perry dear]_{4237-my dear} , that [you]_145-hamlin said this morning that May requires change of air — and , of course , [Annie]_171-anne will be required to take [the children]_{3862-the children} down to [Viareggio]_45-viareggio . [I]_146-perry am extremely sorry for [you]_145-hamlin , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} , but [I]_146-perry fear [you]_145-hamlin must finish that picture — at least so far as [Annie]_171-anne is concerned — by the beginning of next week . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin see , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , briefly . For the first time in [his]_145-hamlin life almost , [he]_145-hamlin felt angry with [[his]_145-hamlin old friend]_{530-his old friend} ; an unspeakable resentment at this interference with what [he]_145-hamlin considered already as [his]_145-hamlin . “ [I]_146-perry see nothing of the sort , ”_[146-perry] burst out [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ; “ [I]_146-perry will never , never permit [dear Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s masterpiece to be spoilt . [I]_146-perry would rather take [the children]_{3862-the children} to [the sea‐side]_{4230-the sea‐side} [myself]_146-perry — oh yes . [I]_146-perry would rather [they]_{3862-the children} did not go at all . [[My]_146-perry children]_{3970-my children} are the dearest things [I]_146-perry possess , but [I]_146-perry have no right selfishly to prefer [their]_{3862-the children} welfare to the completion of such a picture . [I]_146-perry should never forgive [myself]_146-perry . That unfinished picture , [that strange , terrible Venus]_{4243-that strange , terrible venus} , would haunt [me]_146-perry in [my]_146-perry dreams , and [I]_146-perry should hear [the whole world]_{4244-the whole world} asking [me]_146-perry , ‘ What have [you]_146-perry done with a thing meant for [our]_4245-our joy ? ’ ”_[146-perry] “ Bosh ! ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry , stretching out [his]_1164-his legs and puffing at [his]_1164-his pipe—“rubbish ! A fine thing if May gets low fever again : much [you]_146-perry ’ll think of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s masterpiece then . ”_[146-perry] “ May shall not have fever , ”_[146-perry] answered [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , haughtily ; “ and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s masterpiece , which [you]_146-perry choose to sneer at — ”_[146-perry] “ Oh , please , do n’t bother about [my]_145-hamlin masterpieces ! ”_[145-hamlin] interposed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ — Shall not be sacrificed . [You]_146-perry shall take [the children]_{3862-the children} to [the sea‐side]_{4230-the sea‐side} , [Melton]_146-perry ; and [Annie]_171-anne shall continue to give [him]_{693-her husband} as many sittings as [he]_{693-her husband} may wish . ”_[145-hamlin] And then , passing over [[her]_146-perry husband]_{693-her husband} ’s nauseous existence , [she]_146-perry began a mellifluous and irrelevant conversation with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin across [him]_{693-her husband} . But after two or three minutes [Perry]_146-perry could stand it no longer . “ Damn [your]_146-perry sea‐side ! ”_{[693-her husband]} [he]_{693-her husband} suddenly burst out . “ [Melton]_146-perry ! ”_[146-perry] shrieked [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , falling back on [her]_146-perry chair . “ Damn [your]_146-perry sea‐side ! ”_[146-perry] repeated [Perry]_146-perry . “ Have n’t [you]_146-perry eyes in [your]_146-perry head to understand that [the sea‐side]_{4230-the sea‐side} has nothing to do with the matter ? [The children]_{3862-the children} no more require to go to [Viareggio]_45-viareggio than [I]_146-perry require to be made [Khan of [Tartary]_46-tartary]_{4250-khan of tartary} . What is required is that [an honest girl]_{4218-an honest girl} , who was intrusted to [us]_4252-us by [an old friend]_{4253-an old friend} , should not get to be talked of as a — ”_[146-perry] “ This loathsome coarseness is too much for [me]_146-perry . Adieu , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ! ”_[146-perry] and [Mrs Perry]_146-perry flounced out of [the room]_{574-the room} . “ [Lord]_4254-lord deliver [us]_4252-us from [womankind]_{4255-womankind} ! ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Perry]_146-perry , as the door shut upon [[his]_1167-his wife]_{700-his wife} , and [he]_1167-his fell back in [his]_1167-his chair . “ What a nice breakfast [I]_145-hamlin shall have to‐morrow ! ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not answer , but merely lit another cigarette , and looked into the smouldering fire . “ [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [old boy]_{4256-old boy} , ”_[146-perry] resumed [Perry]_146-perry , “ do n’t be down upon [me]_146-perry . [I]_146-perry really am confoundedly sorry to bother [you]_145-hamlin — indeed [I]_146-perry am ; but — [you]_145-hamlin see — about [this girl]_{630-this girl} — ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin understand , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , shortly ; “ do n’t let ’s talk about it . ”_[145-hamlin] “ But — please do n’t be in a rage with [me]_146-perry , [Watty]_178-watty , ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry , appealingly ; “ really [I]_146-perry do n’t know what to do . [You]_145-hamlin see , it ’s not as if [she]_{630-this girl} were [an ordinary girl]_{4258-an ordinary girl} or [an ordinary servant]_{4259-an ordinary servant} ; then [I]_146-perry should say — hang it , please [yourself]_145-hamlin ! ”_[146-perry] “ Sweet morals ! ”_[145-hamlin] sneered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ But with [her]_{630-this girl} it ’s different ; [I]_145-hamlin ’m sure [you]_145-hamlin must recognise that [yourself]_145-hamlin . Now [I]_145-hamlin do n’t mean to say [you]_145-hamlin are in the least to blame , or that [the girl]_{583-the girl} cares the least scrap about [you]_145-hamlin ; but still , this sort of thing wo n’t do . [I]_145-hamlin know [you]_145-hamlin ’re [the last man]_{4261-the last man} to do a dirty thing — indeed [you]_145-hamlin ’re [the only man whom [I]_145-hamlin would have permitted to go on so long]_{4262-the only man whom i would have permitted to go on so long} . But then , quite without meaning anything , all that sitting , and talking , and discussing poetry and ‘ [Vita Nuova]_{214-vita nuova} ’ together — without knowing it , it puts ideas into [a girl]_{4122-a girl} ’s head , makes [her]_{4122-a girl} dissatisfied , that sort of thing , and the result is that [she]_{4122-a girl} goes to the bad . And then , here in [Florence]_6-florence especially , [a girl]_{4122-a girl} ’s none the better looked at for having sat , if even only to [one man]_{4265-one man} . [People]_577-people begin to talk ( at [the villa]_{777-the villa} it was another matter ) , stories go round , and it becomes difficult for [her]_{4122-a girl} to get a respectable situation . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_145-hamlin need n’t say any more , ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with almost feminine impatience . All this gave [him]_145-hamlin a sense of moral nausea . “ [You]_145-hamlin understand , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} , [I]_146-perry do n’t mean it about [you]_145-hamlin in particular , ”_[146-perry] persisted [Perry]_146-perry ; “ indeed [you]_145-hamlin ’ve behaved like [Sir Bors]_{215-sir bors} , [Sir Percival]_{216-sir percival} , and [Sir Galahad]_{217-sir galahad} all rolled into one . But it ’s the fatality of the circumstances , the beastly world about [us]_4269-us . [You]_145-hamlin ’re not angry , are [you]_145-hamlin , with [me]_146-perry ? ”_[146-perry] “ Not a bit , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , quietly , minutely examining one of the pictures on the wall , which was not worth looking at , and had been thoroughly looked at by [him]_145-hamlin already ; “ not a bit , [[my]_146-perry dear]_{4237-my dear} [Perry]_146-perry . [I]_146-perry suppose [you]_145-hamlin have no objection to [Miss Brown]_171-anne giving [me]_146-perry one more morning ? ”_[146-perry] “ Not the least — two , or even three , for the matter of that . [I]_146-perry was only anxious not to spin out things indefinitely . ”_[146-perry] “ One more sitting will be more than enough , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ By the way , before [I]_145-hamlin go , [I]_145-hamlin want to do a drawing of little [Mildred]_165-mildred . ”_[145-hamlin] IT was a cold and drizzling February morning that last sitting which [Anne Brown]_171-anne was to give to [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin . As [the girl]_{583-the girl} slowly mounted [the well‐like stairs of [the old tower palace]_{1171-the old tower palace}]_{1170-the well‐like stairs of the old tower palace} , and saw [the distant snow‐covered hills]_{1172-the distant snow‐covered hills} through the dim windows on [the landings]_{1173-the landings} , [she]_{583-the girl} thought with sadness that this was the last time [she]_{583-the girl} should toil up to [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s studio]_{1127-hamlin ’s studio} . A lethargy weighed upon [her]_{583-the girl} , making [her]_{583-the girl} feel that everything was dreary and unreal , such as [she]_{583-the girl} had experienced only once or twice before , when one of the few holidays of [her]_{583-the girl} childhood had drawn to a close . The cheerless , colourless , eventless , joyless routine of ordinary life was about to close over , to engulf , [her]_{583-the girl} little island of brightness . [She]_{583-the girl} was longer than usual taking off [her]_{583-the girl} bonnet and cloak in the anteroom filled with orange‐trees , for [she]_{583-the girl} felt as if [she]_{583-the girl} must look at everything well one last time — at the bits of brocade and the photographs on the wall , the plaster‐casts on the shelf , the scarlet and purple anemones in the cracked china bow ] , the brass synagogue lamp hanging in the window . “ It is bad weather , ”_{[1175-hamlin ’s old housekeeper]} said [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s old housekeeper]_{1175-hamlin ’s old housekeeper} . “ Horrible , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , looking vacantly through the window at the grey sky and wet roofs . [The old woman]_{1176-the old woman} opened the studio door and drew the curtains . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who was at a table writing , rose and came to meet [[his]_145-hamlin model]_{785-his model} . “ It is very good of [you]_{1176-the old woman} to come in such horrible weather , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said . “ It is the last sitting — [I]_{1176-the old woman} thought [I]_{1176-the old woman} ought not to miss it , ”_{[1176-the old woman]} and [she]_{1176-the old woman} sat down at once in the arm‐chair of faded green velvet opposite [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s easel]_{1178-hamlin ’s easel} . “ Wo n’t [you]_{1176-the old woman} warm [yourself]_{1176-the old woman} a little ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked . “ No , thank [you]_{1176-the old woman} ; [I]_145-hamlin am not cold . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin began to prepare [his]_145-hamlin paints . “ [You]_{1176-the old woman} are going to [Viareggio]_45-viareggio , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin remarked . “ Yes ; [I]_145-hamlin believe [I]_145-hamlin am . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_{1176-the old woman} will enjoy the change of air . [The sea]_{4271-the sea} — [you]_{1176-the old woman} told [me]_145-hamlin [you]_{1176-the old woman} liked [the sea]_{4271-the sea} one day,”—and_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin went on squeezing the paints on to [his]_145-hamlin palette . “ [I]_145-hamlin suppose so . ”_[145-hamlin] [She]_1179-she said no more . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was seated before [his]_145-hamlin easel , looking now at [his]_145-hamlin work and now at [her]_1179-she , and making minute alterations with a small brush . [They]_1180-they did not talk much . [He]_145-hamlin seemed bent upon [his]_145-hamlin work . [He]_145-hamlin had told [her]_1179-she that [she]_1179-she need not keep [her]_1179-she head in position , as [he]_145-hamlin was merely finishing some unimportant details . [Her]_1179-she eyes wandered round [the room]_{574-the room} — at the books , the sketches on the wall , the rugs under foot . On the chimney‐piece was stuck a photograph of [Melton Perry]_146-perry . If only [she]_1179-she might have a photograph of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ! . . . For less than a second [she]_1179-she thought [she]_1179-she might beg for one ; then it seemed to [her]_1179-she impossible , and the wish beat itself painfully against that cold , dead impossibility , like a bird against its cage‐bars . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin called [the old woman]_{1176-the old woman} — “ Take that letter to the post‐office at [the Uffizi]_{47-the uffizi} , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , pointing to [his]_145-hamlin writing‐table , “ and mind [you]_{1176-the old woman} get it registered . ”_[145-hamlin] It was the first time that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had sent [the old woman]_{1176-the old woman} on an errand during one of [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s sittings , when [she]_{1176-the old woman} was wo nt to go in and out of [the studio]_{795-the studio} noiselessly , like [a watchful duenna]_{1185-a watchful duenna} . The heavy stairs door banged behind [her]_{1176-the old woman} . [Anne]_171-anne listened to it dully , vacantly , as [one]_620-one listens to things when deeply preoccupied . For a few minutes [Hamlin]_145-hamlin worked on in silence , then suddenly , without looking up , [he]_145-hamlin said — “ Do [you]_171-anne remember [my]_145-hamlin finding [your]_171-anne ‘ [Dante]_180-dante ’ in the vineyard at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ Yes , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered . “ And [you]_145-hamlin told [me]_145-hamlin that [you]_145-hamlin wished to fit [yourself]_145-hamlin to be [a teacher]_{4134-a teacher} ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ Yes , [I]_145-hamlin remember . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Well , ”_[145-hamlin] went on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ [I]_145-hamlin have been thinking about that ; and [I]_145-hamlin think it would be a pity — [I]_145-hamlin mean — [I]_145-hamlin hope [you]_171-anne wo n’t think it horribly rude of [me]_145-hamlin to say so — [I]_145-hamlin think it would be better if [you]_171-anne went to [school]_1094-school for a little while [yourself]_171-anne . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne stared at this speech , and at the close of it [her]_171-anne surprise turned to resentment . “ Of course it would be better , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , bitterly ; “ of course [I]_171-anne shall always be very ignorant ; but [I]_171-anne have no wish to set up for what [I]_171-anne am not . [I]_171-anne am not going to teach [people]_577-people anything — only to correct [their]_577-people pronunciation and a few mistakes . [One]_620-one does not require to study much for that , and [I]_171-anne shall be competent to do it . ”_[171-anne] In [her]_171-anne quiet , subdued way [she]_171-anne looked very angry . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin rose from [his]_145-hamlin easel . “ [You]_171-anne misunderstand [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said ; “ and indeed what [I]_145-hamlin have to say is so strange and perhaps so unjustifiable , that [you]_171-anne have every right to do so . Listen , ”_[145-hamlin] and [he]_145-hamlin drew a chair near [hers]_171-anne . “ Please do not think [me]_145-hamlin very bold , and forgive the horrid way in which [I]_145-hamlin am forced to put things , when [I]_145-hamlin tell [you]_171-anne , [dear Miss Brown]_171-anne , that [I]_145-hamlin am very much interested in [you]_171-anne , and , indeed — will [you]_171-anne forgive [a comparative stranger]_{4277-a comparative stranger} saying so?—that [I]_145-hamlin have never felt so much attracted by [any one]_{4101-any one} as [I]_145-hamlin do by [you]_171-anne . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne Brown]_171-anne did not answer ; [she]_171-anne seemed literally petrified by sheer astonishment . “ The time has come when [our]_4279-our acquaintance must come to an end , ”_[145-hamlin] went on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , rapidly ; “ but [I]_145-hamlin can not let this happen without making an effort to prolong it . [I]_145-hamlin have [no brothers]_{4280-no brothers} or [sisters]_999-sisters — [no one]_{3899-no one} , at least , living with [me]_145-hamlin , except [distant relations]_{4283-distant relations} . [I]_145-hamlin have never taken much interest in [anybody]_4081-anybody . But now [I]_145-hamlin want to know — would [you]_171-anne , instead of [our]_4279-our parting company altogether — would [you]_171-anne let [me]_145-hamlin become [[your]_171-anne guardian]_{4285-your guardian} for the next few years , and as such , would [you]_171-anne let [me]_145-hamlin take charge of [your]_171-anne education and send [you]_171-anne to [school]_1094-school ? It seems a very ridiculous thing to suggest . But still [you]_171-anne must not be angry with [me]_145-hamlin for doing so . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne ’s big onyx eyes had opened wider and wider . [She]_171-anne flushed purple in the middle of [his]_1187-his speech , then turned ashy‐white , while [she]_171-anne picked convulsively at the fringe of the armchair . Then suddenly a sort of convulsion came across [her]_171-anne face , and , as if from sheer unbearable tension of feeling , [she]_171-anne burst into tears . [She]_171-anne gave way only one second , immediately trying to stop [herself]_171-anne , but in vain . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin felt that [he]_145-hamlin was making a horrible mess of it . [He]_145-hamlin came close up to the chair where [the poor girl]_{1188-the poor girl} was thrown back , shaken with sobs . “ [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin cried , taking [her]_{1188-the poor girl} hand—“Anne — oh , do n’t be unhappy ! [I]_145-hamlin did not mean to offend [you]_171-anne . Do n’t [you]_171-anne understand [my]_145-hamlin meaning ? [I]_145-hamlin wish [you]_171-anne to be what [you]_171-anne have a right to be . [I]_145-hamlin wish [you]_171-anne to be in such a position that of [all the men in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{4287-all the men in the world} [you]_171-anne may choose [the one who deserves [you]_171-anne most]_{4289-the one who deserves you most} . [Anne]_171-anne , [I]_145-hamlin love [you]_171-anne — and [I]_145-hamlin hope that perhaps some day [you]_171-anne may love [me]_145-hamlin ; but [I]_145-hamlin want [you]_171-anne to be able to love whoever may best deserve [you]_171-anne , and merely to do [my]_145-hamlin best that [you]_171-anne should care for [me]_145-hamlin . [I]_145-hamlin want [you]_171-anne to have a future independent of [me]_145-hamlin — to possess the education and the fortune which shall enable [you]_171-anne to marry whomsoever [you]_171-anne will , or not to marry at all . Will [you]_171-anne let [me]_145-hamlin , for the time being , be [[your]_171-anne guardian]_{4285-your guardian} , [[your]_171-anne father]_{3947-your father} , [[your]_171-anne brother]_{4292-your brother} ; let [me]_145-hamlin provide for [you]_171-anne , take care of [your]_171-anne money , see to [your]_171-anne education ? [I]_145-hamlin do not ask [you]_171-anne to love [me]_145-hamlin , but merely to give [me]_145-hamlin a chance of trying to make [you]_171-anne prefer [me]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne did not cease sobbing ; and every convulsive heaving of [her]_171-anne body made [Hamlin]_145-hamlin feel a sort of sickening terror . [He]_145-hamlin slid down on [his]_145-hamlin knees and kissed [her]_171-anne hand . This action seemed suddenly to awaken [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne started up , and making a tremendous effort , stopped [her]_171-anne crying . [He]_145-hamlin stood aside while [she]_171-anne went to the mirror and looked at [her]_171-anne swollen eyes and convulsed face . “ May [I]_171-anne have a glass of water ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked ; then , stopping [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ never mind , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said—“never mind — [I]_145-hamlin must go ; ”_[145-hamlin] and [she]_171-anne pulled [her]_171-anne blue veil hurriedly over [her]_171-anne eyes and huddled on [her]_171-anne cloak . “ [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ why do n’t [you]_171-anne answer [me]_145-hamlin ? ”_[145-hamlin] and [he]_145-hamlin laid hold of [her]_171-anne arm as [she]_171-anne was about to open the door . “ Because [you]_145-hamlin do not deserve it , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered , trying to loosen [his]_145-hamlin grasp . “ Let [me]_171-anne go , please . ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_145-hamlin can not let [you]_171-anne go , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin calmly , standing before the door , “ until [you]_171-anne have listened to [me]_145-hamlin . Will [you]_171-anne let [me]_145-hamlin provide for [your]_171-anne future , send [you]_171-anne to [school]_1094-school , and then place [you]_171-anne in the care of [[my]_145-hamlin aunt]_{4294-my aunt} ? Will [you]_171-anne let [me]_145-hamlin act as if [I]_145-hamlin were [[your]_171-anne guardian]_{4285-your guardian} for the next three years , and at the end of [them]_4296-them [you]_171-anne shall have enough to live and marry as befits [a lady]_{3943-a lady} , and be as free as air , or become [[my]_145-hamlin wife]_{3952-my wife} — whichever [you]_171-anne shall choose ? Answer [me]_145-hamlin , for [I]_145-hamlin am serious . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne Brown]_171-anne paused . “ Do n’t ask [me]_171-anne for an answer now , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said ; “ [I]_171-anne am not sure that [you]_145-hamlin are in earnest . ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_145-hamlin am — indeed [I]_145-hamlin am ! ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “ [I]_145-hamlin have intended asking [you]_171-anne this ever since [my]_145-hamlin return to [Florence]_6-florence . [I]_145-hamlin returned merely in order to ask [you]_171-anne . [I]_145-hamlin am in earnest ; can not [you]_145-hamlin give [me]_145-hamlin a serious answer ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ Not now — [I]_145-hamlin ca n’t think about anything ; [I]_145-hamlin must ask ; [I]_145-hamlin do n’t know what is right to do . ”_[145-hamlin] [He]_145-hamlin opened the door , and [Anne Brown]_171-anne walked out rapidly , through [the anteroom]_{1189-the anteroom} and [downstairs]_{1190-downstairs} . FOR a long time [Anne Brown]_171-anne remained as it were dazed , as if [she]_171-anne had received a blow on the head . When [she]_171-anne got back to [[the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ’ house]_{1191-the perrys ’ house} , [she]_171-anne felt broken in all [her]_171-anne limbs , and slipped up‐stairs and threw [herself]_171-anne on [her]_171-anne bed . But it was no use : all that day , while attending on [the children]_{3862-the children} and doing [her]_171-anne usual work , [she]_171-anne felt as if [some one else]_{1193-some one else} were doing it all ; while [she]_171-anne remained conscious only of something very sudden and strange , of a confused buzzing in [her]_171-anne brain , through which [she]_171-anne heard the voice of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin repeating [his]_145-hamlin words in [the studio]_{795-the studio} ; words which somehow made [her]_171-anne indignant , angry , and at the same time filled [her]_171-anne with a sense of having done something which [she]_171-anne should not . This feeling increased at night , and [she]_171-anne lay awake while the clocks struck hour after hour , hot , red , half deafened by [her]_171-anne own blood , fevered and vaguely indignant . It was as if [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had struck [her]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne felt insulted , outraged , by this strange interference with [her]_171-anne fate , this wonderful intrusion of excitement into [her]_171-anne dull and sombre life . It was dawn when [she]_171-anne awoke : a chill greyness in the sky , reddened by the pale winter sun . [She]_171-anne knew that something had happened , that something was changed . [She]_171-anne was almost surprised to find [herself]_171-anne in [[her]_171-anne usual room]_{1195-her usual room} , with [the children]_{3862-the children} ’s tea‐sets on the chest of drawers , the coloured pictures from the ‘ Illustrated ’ and the ‘ Graphic ’ pinned on the walls , [[the dolls]_{1197-the dolls} ’ houses]_{1198-the dolls ’ houses} in the corner , and [little May]_{218-little may} asleep by [her]_171-anne side in [[her]_171-anne crib]_{1199-her crib} . Then [she]_171-anne remembered it all , and sat up in [her]_171-anne bed thinking about it . Things appeared to [her]_171-anne in quite a new light . [She]_171-anne had been an ungrateful beast to feel as [she]_171-anne had towards [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; and a great wave of gratitude and awe , and love and joy , welled up in [her]_171-anne heart . It was as if [she]_171-anne were sitting in the sunshine : an indefinable kind of happiness . How noble and generous and good [he]_145-hamlin had been ; and how doubly so , being so great , and [she]_171-anne being a mere nothing in [the world]_{496-the world} ! Whether [he]_145-hamlin loved [her]_171-anne or [she]_171-anne [him]_145-hamlin , [she]_171-anne did not ask [herself]_171-anne ; it seemed a thing to die of for sheer happiness , that [any one]_{4101-any one} should care for [her]_171-anne and [her]_171-anne future . And just in proportion to [her]_171-anne usual pride , and sullenness , and joylessness , [she]_171-anne felt happy in the idea of deserving nothing and receiving everything , from [his]_145-hamlin kindness : and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with whom [she]_171-anne had spoken not twenty‐four hours earlier , whom [she]_171-anne would see again that day , appeared to [her]_171-anne as a distant , dim , ineffable creature , lighting and warming [her]_171-anne like the sun , but equally unapproachable . But on thinking it over , things came round to commonplace actuality . What was [she]_171-anne to do ? Would [he]_145-hamlin ask [her]_171-anne again ? or even , had [he]_145-hamlin asked [her]_171-anne at all ? It all seemed a dream , and [she]_171-anne did not venture to examine into its reality . [She]_171-anne determined to tell it all to [Perry]_146-perry , and ask [his]_145-hamlin advice ; but [she]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne never could . [She]_171-anne met [Perry]_146-perry several times in the course of the morning , but [she]_171-anne could not succeed in screwing up [her]_171-anne courage . What if it should all prove to be an illusion ? [She]_171-anne took [the children]_{3862-the children} out for [their]_{3862-the children} accustomed walk , during which [she]_171-anne was even more silent than usual . On returning [home]_4170-home [she]_171-anne saw [Hamlin]_145-hamlin in [the street]_{842-the street} , close to the door . The blood all rushed up to [her]_171-anne head . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin saluted [her]_171-anne as if nothing had happened , and accompanied [her]_171-anne up‐stairs . When [they]_{3862-the children} were at [the landing]_{1205-the landing} [he]_145-hamlin suddenly turned to [her]_171-anne — “ Have [you]_171-anne thought over [our]_{3862-the children} conversation in [the studio]_{795-the studio} yesterday , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked . “ Yes , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Anne]_171-anne , inaudibly , as [he]_145-hamlin stood with [his]_145-hamlin hand on the bell ; “ [I]_145-hamlin have . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Well , then , ”_[145-hamlin] went on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “ with regard to the plan which [I]_145-hamlin submitted to [you]_171-anne , what is [your]_171-anne answer ? Do [you]_171-anne consent or not ? ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne Brown]_171-anne raised [her]_171-anne head . “ [I]_171-anne consent , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered quietly , looking full at [him]_145-hamlin , as if to make sure that [she]_171-anne was not talking in a dream . [He]_145-hamlin had never seen [her]_171-anne so beautiful and majestic before ; and [she]_171-anne had a look — with dilated eyes , and rapid , oppressed breath — like the one which [he]_145-hamlin had noticed once when [she]_171-anne talked of [[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} , and of which [he]_145-hamlin had felt at once , “ this is what [I]_171-anne want . ”_[171-anne] “ Thank [you]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin answered gravely , and rang the bell . For a moment [they]_1207-they stood in silence , till the door was opened . [HAMLIN]_145-hamlin sat for some time in [the dusty attic]_{1208-the dusty attic} called [a studio]_{1209-a studio} , while [Perry]_146-perry cut acrobats and devils out of black paper , and stuck them on the dirty window‐panes . “ That ’s [my]_146-perry vocation , ”_[146-perry] said [Perry]_146-perry , “ and not painting damned landscape spinach and soapsud seas . Look ! are n’t [they]_4300-they [jolly old fiends]_{4301-jolly old fiends} ? ”_[145-hamlin] and [he]_145-hamlin held up a group of black clowns , standing on [each other]_{594-each other} ’s hands and shoulders . “ Capital ! ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ But look here ; [I]_146-perry came to tell [you]_171-anne something . [I]_146-perry want the address of [[Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s guardian,—you]_{4302-miss brown ’s guardian,—you} told [me]_146-perry there was one,—because [I]_146-perry am going to have [Miss Brown]_171-anne educated , with a view , if [she]_171-anne do not change [her]_171-anne mind , to [her]_171-anne becoming [[my]_146-perry wife]_{3952-my wife} . ”_[146-perry] [Perry]_146-perry let [his]_145-hamlin scissors fall on the floor . “ Damnation ! ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin cried . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin picked up the scissors and put them quietly on the table . “ So that ’s it ! ”_[146-perry] burst out [Perry]_146-perry . “ While [I]_146-perry was bothering [my]_146-perry brains with trying to take care of [Anne]_171-anne , [you]_145-hamlin were being inveigled by [that cursed hypocritical slut]_{4304-that cursed hypocritical slut} . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_145-hamlin shall be obliged to [you]_146-perry to speak in rather different language , [Perry]_146-perry , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , in a tone of voice and with a manner which [[his]_145-hamlin friend]_{696-his friend} was not accustomed to . “ Oh , beast ! [brute]_4305-brute ! seven‐times‐distilled and most‐kickable jackass that [I]_146-perry have been , ”_[146-perry] moaned [Perry]_146-perry , “ that [I]_146-perry should have let this happen to [you!—that]_{4306-you!—that} [I]_146-perry should have let [you]_145-hamlin be entrapped under [my]_146-perry very nose ! But it must n’t be , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} ; [I]_146-perry wo n’t stand it . ”_[146-perry] “ [You]_146-perry will have to , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , contemptuously ; “ and so , let ’s say no more about it . Only one word : [Miss Brown]_171-anne has not inveigled [me]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] [Perry]_146-perry gave a sort of moan of disgust . “ [No woman]_{4308-no woman} ever does inveigle [a man]_{503-a man} ! ”_[146-perry] “ [Miss Brown]_171-anne has not inveigled [me]_146-perry . [I]_146-perry conceived the desire of educating [her]_171-anne , and giving [myself]_146-perry a chance of marrying [her]_171-anne if [she]_171-anne would have [me]_146-perry , long ago , before [I]_146-perry returned to [Florence]_6-florence . And , as a favour , [I]_146-perry beg [you]_146-perry will respect [Miss Brown]_171-anne so long as [she]_171-anne remains in [[your]_146-perry house]_{4310-your house} , as [you]_146-perry would respect [the woman who is at present [[my]_146-perry ward]_{4312-my ward} , and may possibly become [[my]_146-perry wife]_{3952-my wife}]_{4311-the woman who is at present my ward , and may possibly become my wife} . ”_[146-perry] “ Ward ! [wife]_4314-wife ! fiddlesticks ! ”_[146-perry] cried [Perry]_146-perry . “ For God ’s sake , [[my]_146-perry dearest old [Watty]_178-watty]_{4315-my dearest old watty} , do n’t go and do such a damnable thing ! do n’t be such [an idiot]_{4316-an idiot} as to suppose [you]_146-perry must do it . That was [my]_146-perry confounded folly : let [myself]_146-perry be led on , and then thought it was [my]_146-perry own choice , [my]_146-perry resolution , all sorts of fine things . [No man]_{4317-no man} ever really wants to tie [himself]_{4317-no man} up ; it ’s [the woman who does it , and makes [him]_{4317-no man} believe it ’s [himself]_{4317-no man}]_{4318-the woman who does it , and makes him believe it ’s himself} . All this is bosh , [mere bosh]_{4319-mere bosh} ; [you]_146-perry ’ll think better of it . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_146-perry tell [you]_146-perry again , [Perry]_146-perry , that there is no inveigling about the matter . [I]_146-perry made up [my]_146-perry mind to this step while [I]_146-perry was away from [Florence]_6-florence . Besides , [I]_146-perry am not going to marry [Miss Brown]_171-anne straight off ; [I]_146-perry am going to give [her]_171-anne the education which [such a woman]_{4320-such a woman} deserves , to enable [her]_171-anne to marry [me]_146-perry should [she]_171-anne care to do so . ”_[146-perry] “ Education , forsooth ! ”_[146-perry] groaned [Perry]_146-perry ; “ [you]_146-perry will get [yourself]_146-perry married before [you]_146-perry have time to say [Jack Robinson]_{219-jack robinson} : and to think that [I]_146-perry have brought it all upon [you]_146-perry ! to think that [I]_146-perry have driven [you]_146-perry to do it ! ”_[146-perry] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin could not help smiling at [[his]_145-hamlin friend]_{696-his friend} ’s distress . “ Really , [you]_146-perry need not feel under any responsibility . [I]_145-hamlin alone am responsible in the business — [I]_145-hamlin and good fortune , which has brought [me]_145-hamlin into the presence of [the most marvelIous woman that ever was]_{4321-the most marvelious woman that ever was} — ”_[145-hamlin] “ But what do [you]_146-perry do it for ? [You]_146-perry ’re not in love with [Annie]_171-anne , [I]_146-perry do believe , ”_[146-perry] cried [poor Perry]_146-perry . “ [I]_145-hamlin do it because [she]_171-anne is [the most beautiful woman [I]_145-hamlin have ever seen]_{4322-the most beautiful woman i have ever seen} , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , deliberately ; “ and [the woman who , properly educated]_{4323-the woman who , properly educated} , is of all others the one whom [I]_146-perry should most wish to love — because , in short , [I]_146-perry can not see [her]_171-anne wasted . ”_[146-perry] [Perry]_146-perry flung [his]_1213-his arms over [his]_1213-his head with a gesture of grotesque despair . At that moment the door opened , and [Mrs Perry]_146-perry entered [the studio]_{795-the studio} . “ What is the matter ? what has happened ? ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry asked with a dramatic gesture , and a not less dramatic accent ; and [she]_146-perry remained standing on the threshold , raising the door‐curtain with much dignity . “ [Hamlin]_145-hamlin wants to bring up and marry [Anne Brown]_171-anne , ”_[146-perry] yelled [Perry]_146-perry . [Mrs Perry]_146-perry tottered , let the curtain go , held [her]_146-perry hand to [her]_146-perry head for a moment . “ [Anne Brown]_171-anne — do [you]_145-hamlin hear that ? [He]_145-hamlin wants to marry [her]_171-anne ! to educate [her]_171-anne ! [He]_145-hamlin has already proposed ! ”_[146-perry] repeated [Perry]_146-perry . [Mrs Perry]_146-perry came forward solemnly , and stretched out [her]_146-perry hand to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ [Dear friend]_{4324-dear friend} , ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry said softly , “ [my]_146-perry heart told [me]_146-perry that this would be . ”_[146-perry] “ [Fudge]_220-fudge ! ”_[146-perry] exclaimed [Perry]_146-perry ; “ if it did , why [the deuce]_{4325-the deuce} did n’t [you]_145-hamlin interfere ? ”_[146-perry] “ [My]_146-perry heart told [me]_146-perry this would be . [I]_146-perry congratulate [you]_{4324-dear friend} , [dearest friend]_{4326-dearest friend} , that [you]_{4324-dear friend} have at last found the embodiment of [your]_{4324-dear friend} mysterious dreams of beauty . And [I]_146-perry thank [you]_{4324-dear friend} , on [my]_146-perry part , for giving [me]_146-perry the happiness of seeing [that glorious dethroned goddess reinstated in [her]_146-perry rights]_{4327-that glorious dethroned goddess reinstated in her rights} , and also,”—and_[146-perry] [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s long mouth smiled — formidable like an alligator’s,—“for giving [me]_146-perry the happiness of witnessing a union of mystic perfection ; ”_[146-perry] whereupon , to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s horror , [the tall and bony lady]_{1215-the tall and bony lady} deposited a damp kiss on [his]_145-hamlin forehead . “ Oh — but — thank [you]_{4324-dear friend} so much ! ”_{[1215-the tall and bony lady]} exclaimed [Hamlin—“I]_{221-hamlin—“i} have not asked [Miss Brown]_171-anne to marry [me]_146-perry ; [I]_146-perry have only asked [her]_171-anne to let [me]_146-perry educate [her]_171-anne . [I]_146-perry wish [her]_171-anne to choose whatever husband may deserve [her]_171-anne . ”_[146-perry] “ And that will be [yourself]_{4324-dear friend} — [[your]_{4324-dear friend} noble , darling self]_{4328-your noble , darling self} , ”_[146-perry] beamed [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ [I]_145-hamlin am happy that [you]_{4324-dear friend} approve of [my]_145-hamlin decision , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , quickly ; “ and since [you]_{4324-dear friend} do , will [you]_{4324-dear friend} kindly tell [me]_145-hamlin the address of [Miss Brown’s]_{222-miss brown’s} — [[Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s guardian]_{4329-miss brown ’s guardian} ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [Julia]_170-julia , [I]_146-perry forbid [you]_170-julia , ”_[146-perry] moaned [Perry]_146-perry feebly . “ [His]_{4329-miss brown ’s guardian} address”—answered_[146-perry] [Mrs Perry]_146-perry blandly , and taking no notice of [her]_146-perry husband—“is [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , care of [Gillespie Brothers]_{224-gillespie brothers} , [New Cross]_{48-new cross} . [He]_{223-richard brown} is foreman at a cannon‐foundry , or a place where [they]_{224-gillespie brothers} make torpedoes . [I]_146-perry know it ’s something murderous and dreadful . ”_[146-perry] “ [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , [Gillespie Brothers]_{224-gillespie brothers} , New Cross , ”_[145-hamlin] wrote [Hamlin]_145-hamlin in [his]_145-hamlin note‐book . “ Thank [you]_146-perry so much ; [I]_145-hamlin shall write to [him]_{223-richard brown} at once . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Oh , idiotic beast that [I]_146-perry was ! ”_[146-perry] groaned [Perry]_146-perry , “ to think that it should all be [my]_146-perry fault . ”_[146-perry] “ Come into [my]_146-perry boudoir , ”_[146-perry] said [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ; “ [you]_145-hamlin shall write to [him]_{223-richard brown} without a moment ’s delay . [Denrest Mr Hamlin]_225-hamlin , it is so noble , so lovely on [your]_145-hamlin part ; and dear [Anne]_171-anne — how beautiful [she]_171-anne will become ! ”_[146-perry] [Perry]_146-perry paced up and down [the room]_{574-the room} in violent despair , kicking at all the chairs and easels on [his]_145-hamlin way , and hurling a tin of black paint against the ceiling , whence , having deposited its oozy contents , it slowly descended . After this , feeling that [his]_145-hamlin despair was not yet vented , [he]_145-hamlin stalked off to [the German beer‐cellar]_{1217-the german beer‐cellar} , in [the Via Lambertesca]_{1218-the via lambertesca} , and gloomily consumed a bock — a proceeding to which [he]_145-hamlin invariably resorted whenever [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} had inspired [him]_145-hamlin with a more than usually strong wish to drown [himself]_145-hamlin . Suddenly an idea struck [him]_145-hamlin , and [he]_145-hamlin rushed to [the nearest telegraph‐office]_{1220-the nearest telegraph‐office} . There [he]_145-hamlin spent upwards of an hour , and consumed many pieces of paper in concocting a missive which should , within the compass of twenty words , convey to [Mr Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , care of [Gillespie Brothers]_{224-gillespie brothers} , [New Cross]_{48-new cross} , that the proposal being made to [Anne Brown]_171-anne by [a certain person]_{1221-a certain person} must be immediately rejected , as its acceptance would bring ruin , dishonour , and misery on [all parties]_{1222-all parties} . “ Proposal disastrous snare , ”_[146-perry] wound up [Perry]_146-perry at last in triumph ; and then discovered that , in [his]_145-hamlin zeal for [Hamlin]_225-hamlin ’s good , [he]_145-hamlin had expressed disapprobation to the extent of exactly twenty francs of Italian money . “ Nothing but pipes — loathsome , smelly , filthy pipes ; never a cigar — for the next two months , ”_[146-perry] meditated [Perry]_146-perry , as [he]_145-hamlin paid [his]_145-hamlin money and received [the clerk]_{1223-the clerk} ’s receipt ; “ but [a fellow]_{3957-a fellow} must save [[his]_{3957-a fellow} friend]_{696-his friend} after all . ”_[146-perry] NO arrangements could be come to until [Hamlin]_225-hamlin should hear from [[Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s guardian]_{1224-anne brown ’s guardian} , and this , even by return of post , was impossible under a week . And during that week , [Hamlin]_225-hamlin determined to keep away from [[the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ’ house]_{1191-the perrys ’ house} : the objurgations of [Melton Perry]_146-perry , the congratulations of [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} , the very tittering of [the children]_{3862-the children} , all this vulgar prose had best be kept aloof from [his]_145-hamlin romance ; besides , [he]_145-hamlin was in the ridiculous position that [Anne]_171-anne was , and was not [his]_145-hamlin ; that [she]_171-anne could no longer be considered [[the Perrys]_{1062-the perrys} ’ servant]_{1229-the perrys ’ servant} , and could not yet be considered as [[his]_145-hamlin ward]_{1230-his ward} . Accordingly , [he]_145-hamlin betook [himself]_145-hamlin for three days to [Siena]_33-siena , deeming it impossible that any answer could come so soon . But when [Hamlin]_225-hamlin returned to [[his]_225-hamlin lodging in [Florence]_6-florence]_{1231-his lodging in florence} , on the fourth day after [his]_225-hamlin proposal to [Anne Brown]_171-anne — it seemed to [him]_225-hamlin as if [he]_225-hamlin had proposed to [her]_171-anne months ago , nay , as if [he]_225-hamlin had never existed at all before that proposal — [he]_225-hamlin was told that [a gentleman]_{662-a gentleman} had called that morning , and had left word that [he]_225-hamlin would return again later on in the day . “ [Some confounded painter or poetaster of]_{4332-some confounded painter or poetaster of} [my]_225-hamlin acquaintance , ”_[225-hamlin] thought [Hamlin]_225-hamlin , annoyed that [any one]_{4101-any one} should call upon [him]_225-hamlin at this point of [his]_225-hamlin adventure . A little later a card was brought in to [him]_225-hamlin . The name upon it made [him]_225-hamlin start — a large [shopman]_1234-shopman ’s card , on which was printed , “ [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , [New Cross]_{48-new cross} . ”_{[1235-the visitor]} “ Ask [him]_{1237-the newcomer} to come in , ”_[225-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_225-hamlin . [The visitor]_{1235-the visitor} stalked in : [a tall , burly man , with bushy black hair and beard]_{1236-a tall , burly man , with bushy black hair and beard} . “ [An insolent cad]_{4333-an insolent cad} , ”_[225-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_225-hamlin to [himself]_225-hamlin . “ [Mr Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? ”_{[1237-the newcomer]} asked [the newcomer]_{1237-the newcomer} , bowing very slightly , and looking down upon [Hamlin]_145-hamlin from [his]_145-hamlin big , bent shoulders . “ Precisely — and [you]_{1239-this man} , [I]_145-hamlin believe , are [[Miss Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s cousin]_{4334-miss anne brown ’s cousin} ? ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , stiffening at [the other]_{1030-the other} ’s free‐and‐easy manner . The very look of [this man]_{1239-this man} rubbed [him]_145-hamlin the wrong way . “ Pray , sit down , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin added , doing [his]_145-hamlin best to be courteous . But [the other]_{1030-the other} had already sat down . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} have come here , ”_{[223-richard brown]} said [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , in a deep , Scotch voice , which made a certain abruptness of manner even more offensive to [[his]_{223-richard brown} host]_{729-his host} , “ in consequence of a telegram which [I]_145-hamlin received from [[your]_145-hamlin friend]_{4335-your friend} [Mr Melton Perry]_152-perry . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin turned pale with anger . “ [Perry]_152-perry telegraphed behind [my]_{223-richard brown} back , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} exclaimed—“however , [I]_{223-richard brown} had written to [you]_145-hamlin the same day . [I]_{223-richard brown} presume [you]_145-hamlin know the contents of [my]_{223-richard brown} letter ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ [I]_{223-richard brown} have received no letter from [you]_145-hamlin — [I]_{223-richard brown} suppose [I]_{223-richard brown} started before it arrived , ”_{[223-richard brown]} answered [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} . “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry mentioned no letter from [you]_145-hamlin in [his]_152-perry telegram , and as [I]_{223-richard brown} understood from it that there were plans afoot which concerned [[my]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} and [ward]_4337-ward , [I]_{223-richard brown} thought [I]_{223-richard brown} had best come at once and inquire into them . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [He]_{223-richard brown} stopped a moment , and looked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin in the face , as if to find out what sort of man [he]_{223-richard brown} might be . [He]_{223-richard brown} [himself]_{223-richard brown} might be any age between thirty and forty , of the darkest possible Scotch type , sun‐burnt like [a bargee , snub of feature , with a huge , overhanging forehead]_{1242-a bargee , snub of feature , with a huge , overhanging forehead} ; [he]_{223-richard brown} was [a man such as [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had never dealt with — a type which [he]_145-hamlin recognised as having seen among [workmen]_1244-workmen and [Dissenting preachers]_{1245-dissenting preachers}]_{1243-a man such as hamlin had never dealt with — a type which he recognised as having seen among workmen and dissenting preachers} : ugly , intellectual , contemptuous — the incarnation of what , to [the descendants of [Cavaliers]_{228-cavaliers} and [Jamaica planters]_{1247-jamaica planters}]_{1246-the descendants of cavaliers and jamaica planters} , seemed [the aggressive lower classes]_{1248-the aggressive lower classes} . “ [I]_145-hamlin see , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , coldly . “ [I]_145-hamlin am greatly obliged to [you]_145-hamlin for the trouble [you]_145-hamlin have taken . [Your]_145-hamlin presence [here]_3884-here will make it much easier for [us]_4339-us to settle all necessary matters . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry , ”_{[1235-the visitor]} went on [the visitor]_{1235-the visitor} , “ has given [me]_{1235-the visitor} rather a confused account of the proposal which [I]_{1235-the visitor} understand [you]_145-hamlin to have made to [[my]_{1235-the visitor} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} ; and [I]_{1235-the visitor} thought it wiser to see [you]_145-hamlin before speaking to [her]_{4336-my cousin} . [I]_{1235-the visitor} must therefore beg [you]_145-hamlin to tell [me]_{1235-the visitor} whether [Mr Perry]_152-perry ’s account of [your]_145-hamlin proposal is correct , and also whether [you]_145-hamlin are in earnest in making it . ”_{[1235-the visitor]} “ Had [you]_145-hamlin waited for [my]_145-hamlin letter , [I]_145-hamlin think [you]_145-hamlin could have had no further doubts , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with some irritation . “ To recapitulate , then . [I]_145-hamlin proposed to [Miss Brown]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne should permit [me]_145-hamlin to take charge of [her]_171-anne education for the next two years , and , on [her]_171-anne becoming of age and deeming [her]_171-anne studies complete , to place at [her]_171-anne disposal the capital of an income which should enable [her]_171-anne to live in a manner corresponding with the education [she]_171-anne had received , and to make a suitable marriage . ”_[145-hamlin] While [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was speaking a sneer came over [[his]_145-hamlin listener]_{1250-his listener} ’s face . “ [I]_145-hamlin am to understand , therefore , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ that [I]_145-hamlin was misinformed as to this being a proposal of marriage . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Pardon [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] corrected [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , gently . “ [I]_145-hamlin told [[your]_145-hamlin cousin]_{4341-your cousin} that [I]_145-hamlin hoped that perhaps , at the end of those two years , or more , [she]_{4341-your cousin} might feel inclined to accept [me]_145-hamlin as [[her]_{4341-your cousin} husband]_{693-her husband} ; but that [my]_145-hamlin particular object was that [Miss Brown]_171-anne should , on coming of age , find [herself]_171-anne in possession of a fortune corresponding to [her]_171-anne education , and which should leave [her]_171-anne free to contract whatever marriage [she]_171-anne pleased , or to continue single . ”_[145-hamlin] [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} flushed . “ In short , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said , with a strange irony in [his]_{223-richard brown} voice , “ [you]_145-hamlin offer to provide [[my]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} with a competence whereon to live , or get married , after [she]_{4336-my cousin} shall have remained for two years in [your]_145-hamlin charge . [I]_{223-richard brown} fully appreciate the intention of [your]_145-hamlin proposal ; and [I]_{223-richard brown} therefore beg to refuse it . ”_{[223-richard brown]} The blood rushed to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s head . That such an interpretation should be put upon [his]_{223-richard brown} words had never entered [his]_145-hamlin mind . It was as if a whip had whizzed about [his]_145-hamlin ears and cut into [his]_145-hamlin face . [His]_145-hamlin first impulse was to knock the other down . But the sense of [his]_145-hamlin misunderstood superiority , superiority unintelligible to [[his]_145-hamlin visitor]_{1251-his visitor} , restrained [him]_145-hamlin . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} quite understand [your]_145-hamlin refusal , [Mr Brown]_{223-richard brown} , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} answered , “ as a result of [your]_145-hamlin interpretation of the case ; and [I]_{223-richard brown} suppose [I]_{223-richard brown} have no right to ask [you]_145-hamlin to see [my]_{223-richard brown} proposal , except as [you]_145-hamlin would mean it were [you]_145-hamlin to make it [yourself]_145-hamlin . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} turned pale ; but [he]_{223-richard brown} too mastered [his]_{223-richard brown} feelings . “ If [your]_145-hamlin intention is to marry [[my]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} , why not marry [her]_{4336-my cousin} at once ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} asked , with something in [his]_{223-richard brown} look which expressed that [he]_{223-richard brown} felt [himself]_{223-richard brown} not to be outwitted by [a vicious fool]_{1252-a vicious fool} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin hesitated . [He]_145-hamlin felt that [he]_145-hamlin could never make [this man]_{1239-this man} understand [his]_145-hamlin dreams , [his]_145-hamlin plans of turning [Anne Brown]_171-anne into a realised ideal , of wooing and winning the creature of [his]_145-hamlin own making . “ Because — because , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin hesitated . “ Because , ”_[145-hamlin] interrupted [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , “ [a man in [your]_145-hamlin position of life]_{4345-a man in your position of life} can not marry [a girl like [[my]_145-hamlin cousin]_{4336-my cousin}]_{4346-a girl like my cousin} before [she]_{4336-my cousin} has been turned into [a lady]_{3943-a lady} ; and because , even if this be granted , [he]_{4345-a man in your position of life} can not bind [himself]_{4345-a man in your position of life} to marry [her]_{4336-my cousin} until [he]_{4345-a man in your position of life} see whether schooling has succeeded in making [a lady]_{3943-a lady} of [her]_{4336-my cousin} . [I]_145-hamlin perfectly follow [your]_145-hamlin reasons ; but [you]_145-hamlin also can follow [mine]_145-hamlin when [I]_145-hamlin say that [[my]_145-hamlin cousin]_{4336-my cousin} can not be subjected to the ups and downs of [your]_145-hamlin appreciation . ”_[145-hamlin] In [this man]_{1239-this man} there was a hatred of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , not merely as [a fine gentleman]_{1255-a fine gentleman} , [an idler]_{1256-an idler} , but as [an æsthete]_{1257-an æsthete} ; a hatred not merely of class , but of temperament . “ [You]_145-hamlin misunderstand [my]_145-hamlin motives , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , losing patience . “ [My]_145-hamlin reason for not marrying [[your]_145-hamlin cousin]_{4341-your cousin} at once is , that [I]_145-hamlin would not marry [a woman who can not possibly love [me]_145-hamlin as yet]_{4352-a woman who can not possibly love me as yet} ; and [my]_145-hamlin reason against a formal engagement between [us]_4353-us is , that [I]_145-hamlin can not consent to bind [Miss Brown]_171-anne to marry [me]_145-hamlin when [she]_171-anne has no opportunity as yet of choosing [a man more to [her]_171-anne taste]_{4354-a man more to her taste} . It seems to [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] added [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , feeling the advantage on [his]_145-hamlin side , “ that to take [[your]_145-hamlin cousin]_{4341-your cousin} in marriage now , or to bind [her]_{4341-your cousin} to marry [me]_145-hamlin in the future , would be buying [her]_{4341-your cousin} in exchange for the education and the money which [she]_{4341-your cousin} will receive from [me]_145-hamlin . That education and that money are intended to secure [her]_{4341-your cousin} freedom , to secure [her]_{4341-your cousin} choice of [a man whom [she]_{4341-your cousin} may love]_{4356-a man whom she may love} , not to make [her]_{4341-your cousin} into the chattel of [a man whom [she]_{4341-your cousin} could only despise]_{4357-a man whom she could only despise} . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s tone and these sentiments , which seemed to belong to [a world west of the sun and east of the moon]_{1258-a world west of the sun and east of the moon} , evidently impressed [[Anne]_171-anne ’s guardian]_{1259-anne ’s guardian} . [He]_{1259-anne ’s guardian} remained silent for a moment , unable to realise [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s state of mind , while no longer able to disbelieve in it . But the temptation to disbelieve in the sincerity of [this handsome , effeminate , æsthetic aristocrat]_{1260-this handsome , effeminate , æsthetic aristocrat} was too strong . “ All this is very noble and chivalric , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ and [I]_145-hamlin doubt not quite natural in [a poet like [you]_145-hamlin]_{4358-a poet like you} , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; but for [us]_4359-us [practical people]_{4360-practical people} , [I]_145-hamlin fear it wo n’t do . [I]_145-hamlin am fully persuaded of the desirability of giving [[my]_145-hamlin cousin]_{4336-my cousin} some further schooling , and fully persuaded also of the undesirability of leaving [her]_{4336-my cousin} any longer in the care of [Mr Perry]_152-perry . So [I]_145-hamlin shall take [her]_{4336-my cousin} back to [England]_37-england with [me]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin turned pale with anger . It sickened [him]_145-hamlin to see [his]_145-hamlin plans dragged in the mire of [this fellow]_{1261-this fellow} ’s suspicions , and at the same time [he]_145-hamlin felt unable ever to make [him]_{1261-this fellow} understand , utterly helpless in defending [himself]_145-hamlin . Suddenly an idea struck [him]_145-hamlin . “ [I]_145-hamlin see , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , rising and leaning against the fireplace , while [[his]_145-hamlin guest]_{556-his guest} remained coolly seated—“I see that , in plain words , [you]_{556-his guest} suppose that [I]_{556-his guest} project settling some money upon [[your]_{556-his guest} cousin]_{4341-your cousin} , with a view of making [her]_{4341-your cousin} [[my]_{556-his guest} mistress]_{4363-my mistress} for two years — that is it , is it not , [Mr Brown]_{223-richard brown} ? ”_{[556-his guest]} The brutal frankness staggered [Brown]_{223-richard brown} ; it was impossible to make any more insinuations now . And [he]_{223-richard brown} began to feel ashamed of those which [he]_{223-richard brown} had already made . [His]_{223-richard brown} own imagination , then , was less clean than the intentions of [this womanish fine gentleman]_{1263-this womanish fine gentleman} ? Perhaps for this very reason [he]_{223-richard brown} answered calmly , but turning very red — “ Yes , [sir]_3865-sir ; that is exactly the state of the case . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Hamlin]_145-hamlin felt a sort of triumph at this humiliation of [[his]_145-hamlin visitor]_{1251-his visitor} . “ In that case , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ [I]_145-hamlin think [I]_145-hamlin can devise a plan which shall satisfy [you]_{556-his guest} — which will relieve [your]_{556-his guest} apprehensiveness . [I]_145-hamlin offer not merely to settle upon [Miss Brown]_171-anne the capital of five hundred a‐year , to be administered by [you]_{556-his guest} until [her]_171-anne majority ; but also to give [you]_{556-his guest} [my]_145-hamlin word of honour to marry [Miss Brown]_171-anne at any time that [she]_171-anne may summon [me]_145-hamlin to do so . ”_[145-hamlin] [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was taken aback ; all this romance , which [he]_{223-richard brown} had believed to be but a vicious snare , was then real . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} do n’t understand [you]_145-hamlin , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} do n’t understand what [you]_145-hamlin want to do with [[my]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ It seems difficult to explain it to [you]_145-hamlin , [Mr Brown]_{223-richard brown} , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “ still , [I]_145-hamlin may repeat it . [I]_145-hamlin wish [Miss Brown]_171-anne to receive all the advantages of education and money which [a woman gifted like [her]_171-anne]_{4366-a woman gifted like her} has a right to , and which will enable [her]_171-anne to freely marry [a man worthy of [her]_171-anne — [myself]_145-hamlin , or any other in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{4367-a man worthy of her — myself , or any other in the world} . [I]_145-hamlin will not hear of binding [Miss Brown]_171-anne to [me]_145-hamlin at present , either by marriage or by promise of marriage ; [she]_171-anne is to remain absolutely independent . But [I]_145-hamlin offer once more to pledge [myself]_145-hamlin to marry [her]_171-anne whenever [she]_171-anne may wish it . ”_[145-hamlin] [Brown]_171-anne did not answer for a moment . “ Are [you]_145-hamlin ready to sign a document to that effect ? ”_[1265-he] [he]_1265-he asked . “ [I]_145-hamlin will give [Miss Brown]_171-anne [my]_145-hamlin word , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , contemptuously ; “ and [I]_145-hamlin will give [you]_{223-richard brown} , [Mr Brown]_{223-richard brown} , as many signed documents as may be equivalent thereto in [your]_{223-richard brown} eyes . ”_[145-hamlin] [Brown]_{223-richard brown} felt the insult , but [he]_{223-richard brown} knew [he]_{223-richard brown} had drawn it upon [himself]_{223-richard brown} . For a moment [he]_{223-richard brown} hesitated ; [his]_{223-richard brown} aversion to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s plan fighting painfully with [his]_{223-richard brown} sense of the worldly interests of [[his]_{223-richard brown} ward]_{1230-his ward} . At last [he]_{223-richard brown} said — “ On these conditions [I]_{223-richard brown} can no longer make any opposition ; and it rests with [[my]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} to accept or refuse [your]_145-hamlin offer . [I]_{223-richard brown} can only warn [her]_{4336-my cousin} and [you]_145-hamlin — and to do so is [my]_{223-richard brown} duty , [I]_{223-richard brown} think — that , in [my]_{223-richard brown} opinion , such an arrangement is utterly undesirable for both parties , and that [my]_{223-richard brown} strong advice is not to enter upon it . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ [I]_145-hamlin take [your]_145-hamlin warning to heart , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , contemptuously ; “ but [I]_145-hamlin can not agree with it . May [I]_145-hamlin beg [you]_145-hamlin to meet [me]_145-hamlin at [the English Consulate]_{4370-the english consulate} to‐morrow morning , to witness the document which [you]_145-hamlin proposed [I]_145-hamlin should draw out ; the matter of [her]_{4336-my cousin} money settlement [I]_145-hamlin shall leave in the hands of [[my]_145-hamlin lawyers]_{4371-my lawyers} . What hour will suit [you]_145-hamlin ? and may [I]_145-hamlin have the pleasure of receiving [you]_145-hamlin to breakfast with [me]_145-hamlin and [Mr Perry]_152-perry , who will doubtless be [my]_145-hamlin witness ? ”_[145-hamlin] [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} bowed . “ Thank [you]_145-hamlin , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said briefly ; “ [I]_{223-richard brown} think [I]_{223-richard brown} should prefer breakfasting at [[my]_{223-richard brown} inn]_{4372-my inn} . With regard to the document , [I]_{223-richard brown} shall be happy to meet [you]_145-hamlin at [the Consulate]_{4373-the consulate} any time convenient to [yourself]_145-hamlin . But , ”_{[223-richard brown]} and [his]_{223-richard brown} face became as threatening as [his]_{223-richard brown} voice was studiously courteous , “ [we]_4374-we must first hear whether , on second thoughts , [[my]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} accepts [your]_145-hamlin proposal . Good afternoon , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ Good afternoon , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s visit had left a nauseous taste in [his]_{223-richard brown} soul . LATER in the afternoon [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} called at [the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ’ and asked to see [[his]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{1267-his cousin} . [He]_{223-richard brown} was received with effusiveness by [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . “ So [you]_145-hamlin have seen [[our]_4374-we noble]_{4376-our noble} , darling [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry cried ; “ and [you]_145-hamlin have felt [your]_145-hamlin heart go out to meet [him]_145-hamlin as [we]_4374-we have felt [ours]_4374-we . ”_[146-perry] “ [I]_{223-richard brown} have seen [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_{[223-richard brown]} answered [Brown]_{223-richard brown} roughly , not at all appreciating [the lady]_{3881-the lady} ’s winning manners ; “ and [I]_{223-richard brown} should like to speak to [[my]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4336-my cousin} , please . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ [Anne]_171-anne — [my]_146-perry beautiful Anne”—cried_[146-perry] [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , opening the door of [the next room]_{3870-the next room} . “ [Poor child]_{4378-poor child} ! ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry added , “ how [she]_{4378-poor child} has been trembling in [her]_{4378-poor child} heart all day ! ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne entered . [She]_171-anne was paler even than usual , and was more than usually self‐possessed . [She]_171-anne had seen [[her]_171-anne guardian]_{1270-her guardian} for a minute early that morning , and [she]_171-anne knew that this visit would seal [her]_171-anne fate . “ Good afternoon , [Richard]_{223-richard brown} , ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry said briefly . [Brown]_{223-richard brown} looked round at [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , waiting for [her]_146-perry to withdraw . But such was by no means [her]_146-perry intention . “ Do n’t be unhappy , [darling]_4379-darling , ”_[146-perry] [she]_146-perry said to [Anne]_171-anne ; “ [I]_146-perry know how [one woman]_{4380-one woman} always longs for [another woman]_{4381-another woman} in these moments . [I]_146-perry will stay with [you]_171-anne while [[your]_171-anne cousin]_{4341-your cousin} tells [you]_171-anne the result of [his]_{4341-your cousin} visit . ”_[146-perry] “ It is very kind of [you]_146-perry , [madam]_4383-madam , ”_[171-anne] said [Brown]_171-anne gruffly , “ but [I]_171-anne think this matter had better be settled solely between [[my]_171-anne cousin]_{4336-my cousin} and [myself]_171-anne . Would [you]_146-perry permit [her]_146-perry to take [me]_171-anne into [some other room]_{4385-some other room} ? ”_[171-anne] “ Oh , [I]_146-perry do n’t wish to intrude , ”_[146-perry] sighed [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , “ [I]_146-perry only wished to support [this poor child]_{4386-this poor child} with [my]_146-perry presence . But after all , [a woman who loves requires support from [no one]_{3899-no one}]_{4387-a woman who loves requires support from no one} . ”_[146-perry] Saying which [she]_146-perry swept out of [the room]_{574-the room} . There was a moment ’s silence . “ [I]_171-anne have been to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s , [Anne]_171-anne , ”_[171-anne] said [Brown]_171-anne briefly , seating [himself]_171-anne by the fire . “ Well ? ”_[171-anne] The tone of voice was so resolute and even triumphant that [he]_1272-i raised [his]_1272-i head and looked up at [her]_146-perry where [she]_146-perry was standing by the table , a piece of needlework still in [her]_146-perry hands . “ Well , ”_[171-anne] answered [Brown]_171-anne quietly , and watching the effect of each of [his]_1272-i words on the pale , melancholy , but dispassionate face of [the girl]_{583-the girl} , “ [I]_1272-i have spoken to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; and [I]_1272-i find that [you]_145-hamlin were correct in [your]_145-hamlin judgment , and that [I]_1272-i was mistaken in [mine]_1272-i . [He]_145-hamlin is in earnest in [his]_145-hamlin proposal , and honest in it . ”_[1272-i] “ [I]_171-anne knew that ; ”_[171-anne] and [Anne Brown]_171-anne wondered whether this could be [the same cousin [Dick]_229-dick who was [a big boy]_{1275-a big boy} , almost [a man]_{503-a man} , when [she]_{583-the girl} was [a tiny mite at [Spezia]_14-spezia]_{1277-a tiny mite at spezia} ; who took care of [her]_{583-the girl} when [[her]_{583-the girl} mother]_{1278-her mother} was ill and [[her]_{583-the girl} father]_{4143-her father} was drunk ; who used to shoulder [[his]_1280-his uncle]_{1281-his uncle} and drag [him]_{1281-his uncle} off to bed when , in a fit of intoxication , [he]_{1281-his uncle} would come in and threaten to throw [the babies]_{1282-the babies} out of the window]_{1274-the same cousin dick who was a big boy , almost a man , when she was a tiny mite at spezia ; who took care of her when her mother was ill and her father was drunk ; who used to shoulder his uncle and drag him off to bed when , in a fit of intoxication , he would come in and threaten to throw the babies out of the window} . [She]_171-anne recognised the small features , the dark skin and hair , the heavy intellectual brow ; but [he]_{1281-his uncle} seemed to have changed in expression , to have grown hard , and arrogant , and coarse . “ [I]_171-anne knew that , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne repeated , “ though [you]_{1281-his uncle} would not believe it . So , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne added , with a certain hardness in [her]_171-anne manner , “ [I]_171-anne suppose [I]_171-anne am left free to decide , and that [you]_{1281-his uncle} are ready to let [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin do what [he]_145-hamlin chooses . ”_[171-anne] “ [You]_171-anne are free to decide , ”_{[1281-his uncle]} [he]_{1281-his uncle} answered . “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [I]_{1281-his uncle} have said , is serious and honest , and willing to make every provision which can bind [him]_145-hamlin and leave [you]_171-anne free , legally . [I]_{1281-his uncle} can not , as [[your]_171-anne guardian]_{4285-your guardian} , say no . But , ”_{[1281-his uncle]} and [his]_{1281-his uncle} voice assumed a threatening tone , “ as [[your]_171-anne kinsman]_{4390-your kinsman} , and as [the representative of [[your]_171-anne father]_{3947-your father}]_{4391-the representative of your father} , [I]_{1281-his uncle} most earnestly dissuade [you]_171-anne from accepting this proposal . ”_{[1281-his uncle]} [Anne]_171-anne reddened . “ But [you]_{1281-his uncle} can no longer oppose it , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said quickly . “ [I]_171-anne have told [you]_171-anne before that [you]_171-anne are free , [Anne]_171-anne . And because [you]_171-anne are free , ”_[171-anne] continued [Brown]_171-anne , a sort of despair coming over [him]_{1281-his uncle} at the sight of [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s indifference—“because [you]_171-anne are free , [I]_171-anne want [you]_171-anne to listen to [me]_171-anne . This proposal is one which , in the eyes of [the world]_{496-the world} , will change [your]_171-anne life for the better : [you]_171-anne will be educated , get the manners of [a lady]_{3943-a lady} , be rich [yourself]_171-anne , and marry [a rich man]_{4395-a rich man} . But will [you]_171-anne stand higher in [your]_171-anne own opinion ? Would [you]_171-anne stand as high as [you]_171-anne should in that of [[your]_171-anne father]_{3947-your father} , if [he]_{3947-your father} were alive ? [You]_171-anne , having bartered [your]_171-anne freedom , having accepted all from [this one man]_{4397-this one man} ? ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . “ Of course , ”_{[223-richard brown]} went on [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} eagerly , “ [you]_171-anne will have every worldly advantage . But will [you]_171-anne be happy taken out of [your]_171-anne own sphere of life , knowing [yourself]_171-anne to be bound in gratitude to [this man]_{1239-this man} , who will always continue to feel [[your]_171-anne superior]_{4399-your superior} , to look down upon [you]_171-anne as [a beggar whom [he]_{1239-this man} has fed]_{4400-a beggar whom he has fed} , or a chattel which [he]_{1239-this man} has bought ? [This man]_{1239-this man} is , for [his]_{1239-this man} class and ideas , honourable : [he]_{1239-this man} wishes to leave [you]_171-anne free to marry [him]_{1239-this man} only if [you]_171-anne please ; [he]_{1239-this man} wishes to marry [you]_171-anne really and truly . But in reality [he]_{1239-this man} is making [you]_171-anne [[his]_{1239-this man} slave]_{4402-his slave} ; for how can [you]_171-anne refuse [him]_{1239-this man} the only thing which [you]_171-anne , [[my]_{223-richard brown} poor Nan]_{4403-my poor nan} , can give [him]_{1239-this man} in return for [his]_{1239-this man} money ? And in reality [he]_{1239-this man} is making [you]_171-anne [[his]_{1239-this man} mistress]_{1072-his mistress} ; for what sort of marriage is it which is a marriage merely before [the world]_{496-the world} — where [the one]_{4406-the one} buys and the other is bought ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Anne]_171-anne flushed still deeper , and trembled from head to foot as [she]_171-anne leaned against the table . A dull pain clawed [her]_171-anne at the heart , a lump rose up to [her]_171-anne throat . But [she]_171-anne did not speak . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} misunderstood [her]_171-anne silence . [He]_{223-richard brown} rose and approached the table , and tried to put [his]_{223-richard brown} arm paternally on [her]_171-anne shoulder . [She]_171-anne shrank back , but let [his]_{223-richard brown} heavy hand rest on [her]_171-anne shoulder . What did [his]_{223-richard brown} touch matter when there were [his]_{223-richard brown} words ? “ [Annie]_171-anne , [dear]_4117-dear , ”_[171-anne] said [Brown]_171-anne more gently , “ [you]_171-anne know [I]_171-anne am [a rough man]_{4408-a rough man} , and do n’t know how to mince matters and say things to [women]_3959-women ; but [you]_171-anne know that [I]_171-anne am fond of [you]_171-anne . Do n’t [you]_171-anne recollect when [you]_171-anne were [a wee lassie]_{4410-a wee lassie} , and [I]_171-anne used to carry [you]_171-anne about on [my]_171-anne back , and go into [the water]_{4411-the water} to get [you]_171-anne the sea‐weeds and the little nautiluses . [I]_171-anne suppose [you]_171-anne do n’t any longer . But still , [you]_171-anne know [I]_171-anne would not for [the world]_{496-the world} hurt [[my]_171-anne poor little Nan]_{4413-my poor little nan} . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne held on to the table , and as [she]_171-anne recognised that familiar intonation , hot tears rolled down [her]_171-anne cheeks . [Her]_171-anne whole childhood seemed to return to [her]_171-anne . “ Do n’t cry — don’t cry ! ”_[171-anne] exclaimed [Brown]_171-anne , taking [her]_171-anne hand . “ [Poor child]_{4378-poor child} ! [I]_171-anne know it must be very hard for [you]_171-anne who are so young ; [I]_171-anne know what it must be to be tempted with [a lady]_{3943-a lady} ’s education , and money , and [a fine gentleman , who ’s in love with one]_{4416-a fine gentleman , who ’s in love with one} , for [a husband]_{4417-a husband} . But remember what [[your]_171-anne poor dad]_{4418-your poor dad} used to tell [us]_4419-we , that [we]_4419-we [common folk]_{4420-common folk} must make [our]_4419-we own way — make [the others]_{881-the others} feel that [we]_4419-we ’re as good as [they]_{881-the others} , and not accept anything from [them]_{881-the others} . D’you remember how [he]_1284-he used to say to [me]_171-anne , ‘ Work and be proud ’ ? Well , and [I]_171-anne have worked and have been proud , and it ’s that that has enabled [me]_171-anne to rest a little . And [you]_171-anne , too , must be proud , and work , [[my]_171-anne little [Annie]_171-anne]_{4422-my little annie} . ”_[171-anne] “ Look here , ”_[1284-he] [he]_1284-he went on , “ [you]_171-anne must not think [you]_171-anne are never to be anything but [a servant]_{4125-a servant} . [I]_1285-i feel [I]_1285-i ’ve been to blame , and neglected [you]_171-anne too long . [You]_171-anne see , [I]_1285-i ’ve had to work hard for [my]_1285-i life , out in [England]_37-england ; but now [I]_1285-i am quite safely off — indeed much better off than [I]_1285-i ever anticipated : [[my]_1285-i employer]_{4424-my employer} is going to take [me]_1285-i into partnership next year . Well , since [you]_171-anne wish to go to [school]_1094-school , [I]_1285-i will send [you]_171-anne [there]_4426-there . [You]_171-anne shall come back with [me]_1285-i to [England]_37-england , and [I]_1285-i will send [you]_171-anne to [the very best school to be found]_{4427-the very best school to be found} : [you]_171-anne shall be as good as [any lady]_{4428-any lady} , and [you]_171-anne shall owe nothing to [any one]_{4101-any one} . [Annie]_171-anne , do say yes . ”_[1285-i] [He]_1285-i spoke , [this rough man]_{1286-this rough man} , almost as one might to [a sick child]_{1287-a sick child} ; and as [he]_1285-i spoke , [he]_1285-i tried to pass [his]_1285-i arm round [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s waist . But [Anne]_171-anne shuddered , and freed [herself]_171-anne from [his]_1285-i grasp . There was something in [this big dark man]_{1289-this big dark man} , with [his]_{1289-this big dark man} bushy hair and beard , which made [her]_171-anne shrink physically , although [she]_171-anne felt no suspicion of [him]_{1289-this big dark man} morally . The thought of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin passed across [her]_171-anne mind — [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who was everything which [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was not . “ [You]_{1289-this big dark man} are very good , [Dick]_229-dick , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , feeling ashamed of [her]_171-anne ingratitude ; “ but — but — oh no , no , [I]_171-anne ca n’t , [I]_171-anne ca n’t ! ”_[171-anne] and [she]_171-anne hid [her]_171-anne tears with [her]_171-anne hands . “ Ca n’t what ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} exclaimed [Brown]_{223-richard brown} , and [his]_{223-richard brown} voice and face changed ; “ ca n’t what ? Ca n’t accept [my]_{223-richard brown} offer ; ca n’t owe anything to [me]_{223-richard brown} , to [[your]_{1289-this big dark man} cousin]_{4341-your cousin} , to [the man to whom [[your]_{1289-this big dark man} father]_{3947-your father} confided [you]_{1289-this big dark man}]_{4431-the man to whom your father confided you} ? No ! [you]_{1289-this big dark man} wo n’t be under such an obligation , eh ? Nay , do n’t humbug [me]_{223-richard brown} . [You]_{1289-this big dark man} ca n’t give up the money , [the land]_{4433-the land} , [the house]_{509-the house} , the fine name — all the things which [he]_{4431-the man to whom your father confided you} can give [you]_{1289-this big dark man} and [I]_{223-richard brown} ca n’t ; for [I]_{223-richard brown} can only give [you]_{1289-this big dark man} an education , and [I]_{223-richard brown} was such [a fool]_{4435-a fool} as to think that [you]_{1289-this big dark man} wanted that ! ”_{[223-richard brown]} and [Brown]_{223-richard brown} laughed a loud , bitter laugh . “ [You]_{1289-this big dark man} want to marry [that man]_{1086-that man} , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} went on brutally ; “ well , do so . But remember what marriage means . [You]_{1289-this big dark man} are [a girl of [the people]_{871-the people} , who has had to take care of [herself]_{1289-this big dark man}]_{4437-a girl of the people , who has had to take care of herself} — not [a fine young lady]_{4439-a fine young lady} , as yet , thank [God]_195-god , with all the fine names which [fine folk]_{4440-fine folk} have for nasty things . [You]_{1289-this big dark man} know what marriage means . It means being [a man]_{503-a man} ’s chattel , more than [his]_{503-a man} beast of burden , [his]_{503-a man} plaything , the toy of [his]_{503-a man} caprice and sensuality . It means , also , that [you]_{1289-this big dark man} must smother all love for [a worthier man]_{4442-a worthier man} , or degrade [yourself]_{1289-this big dark man} in [your]_{1289-this big dark man} own eyes . Will [you]_{1289-this big dark man} be this , sell [yourself]_{1289-this big dark man} thus — ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin does not wish [me]_{583-the girl} to degrade [myself]_{583-the girl} , ”_{[583-the girl]} cried [the girl]_{583-the girl} . “ [He]_{503-a man} respects [me,—yes]_{583-the girl} , [he]_{503-a man} does ; and [you]_{1289-this big dark man} — [you]_{1289-this big dark man} do n’t ! ”_{[583-the girl]} “ [He]_{503-a man} respects [you]_{583-the girl} ! ”_{[223-richard brown]} sneered [Brown]_{223-richard brown} . “ And [he]_{503-a man} does not want to degrade [you]_{583-the girl} . Of course , [he]_{503-a man} ’s [a respectable , highly moral man]_{4443-a respectable , highly moral man} . But , upon [my]_{223-richard brown} soul , [I]_{223-richard brown} would rather [you]_{583-the girl} had been seduced by [a man [you]_{583-the girl} loved]_{4444-a man you loved} , than that [you]_{583-the girl} should have sold [yourself]_{583-the girl} coldly in this way . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Anne]_171-anne felt [herself]_171-anne choking . For a moment [she]_171-anne could not utter a word . Then suddenly , with a strange look in [her]_171-anne eyes , [she]_171-anne cried , in a tone which smote [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} on the mouth — “ [I]_171-anne love [him]_{4444-a man you loved} ! ”_[171-anne] [Brown]_171-anne turned and looked [her]_171-anne in the face . [She]_171-anne was very flushed , and [her]_171-anne slate‐grey eyes gleamed feverishly . But [her]_171-anne face was calm , and [she]_171-anne returned [his]_{1291-her cousin} taunting gaze , which sought for the proof that [she]_171-anne lied , with a look of irrepressible contempt . “ [I]_171-anne love [him]_{4444-a man you loved} ! ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne repeated . [Brown]_171-anne took [his]_{1291-her cousin} hat . “ Good‐bye , ”_{[1291-her cousin]} [he]_{1291-her cousin} said , stretching out [his]_{1291-her cousin} hand ; “ [I]_{1291-her cousin} left the choice in [your]_171-anne hands , and [you]_171-anne have chosen . To‐morrow morning [I]_{1291-her cousin} shall settle everything with [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin — the papers , [I]_{1291-her cousin} mean — which shall make [him]_145-hamlin henceforth [[your]_171-anne sole protector]_{4445-your sole protector} . Then [I]_{1291-her cousin} shall go . Goodbye . [I]_{1291-her cousin} wish [you]_171-anne joy of [your]_171-anne choice”—he_{[1291-her cousin]} paused—“you mercenary thing ! ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne did not move . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had already turned the handle of the door when [he]_{1291-her cousin} stopped . “ One thing more , ”_{[1291-her cousin]} [he]_{1291-her cousin} said , “ which [I]_{1291-her cousin} desire [you]_171-anne to know . [You]_171-anne have taken care of [yourself]_171-anne hitherto , and [you]_171-anne are prudent enough in all conscience , and world‐wise enough , and heartless enough , to do so in future ; so this piece of information may be of use to [you]_171-anne . To‐morrow [he]_145-hamlin will sign a paper , which [I]_{1291-her cousin} shall keep till [you]_171-anne come of age , declaring that , although [he]_145-hamlin leaves [you]_171-anne complete freedom in the choice of [a husband]_{4417-a husband} , [he]_145-hamlin binds [himself]_145-hamlin to marry [you]_171-anne whenever [you]_171-anne may call upon [him]_145-hamlin to do so . [You]_171-anne will doubtless know how to turn this to profit . Good‐bye . ”_{[1291-her cousin]} [Anne]_171-anne sank into a chair , excited , exhausted , all [her]_171-anne blood in movement , [she]_171-anne scarcely knew why — insulted , maligned , and yet with a great sense of joyfulness in [her]_171-anne heart . A MONTH later , [the little Perrys]_{645-the little perrys} were being taken for [their]_{645-the little perrys} walk in [the Boboli Gardens]_{1293-the boboli gardens} by [a Swiss bonne in a quilted cap]_{1294-a swiss bonne in a quilted cap} ; and [Anne Brown]_171-anne was unpacking [her]_171-anne things in [a room overlooking [the yellowish‐green Rhine]_{54-the rhine} , with [its]_{54-the rhine} oscillating bridge of [boats]_1296-boats , and facing the rocks and bastions of [Ehrenbreitstein]_{50-ehrenbreitstein}]_{1295-a room overlooking the yellowish‐green rhine , with its oscillating bridge of boats , and facing the rocks and bastions of ehrenbreitstein} . When [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had returned to [England]_37-england with the signed documents in [his]_{223-richard brown} pocket , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had immediately written two letters,—one to [[his]_145-hamlin lawyers]_{1297-his lawyers} , instructing [them]_{1297-his lawyers} to settle the capital of five hundred a‐year , that is to say , one quarter of [[his]_145-hamlin property]_{1298-his property} , on [Anne Brown]_171-anne ; the other , narrating the history of [his]_145-hamlin engagement ( if engagement it might be called ) , to [the widow of [[his]_145-hamlin former tutor]_{1300-his former tutor}]_{1299-the widow of his former tutor} , and asking [her]_{1299-the widow of his former tutor} to admit [the young lady in whom [he]_145-hamlin was interested into [[her]_{1299-the widow of his former tutor} school at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz]_{1302-her school at coblenz}]_{1301-the young lady in whom he was interested into her school at coblenz} . It was the Easter holidays , and [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} had taken advantage of the fact to come to [Florence]_6-florence in order to take back [[her]_{230-mrs simson} pupil]_{1303-her pupil} [herself]_{230-mrs simson} . There was still a fortnight before [the school]_{1304-the school} would reopen , so [Hamlin]_145-hamlin suggested that [they]_1305-they should slowly travel north , and it was settled that [he]_145-hamlin should accompany [the schoolmistress]_{1306-the schoolmistress} and [[his]_145-hamlin ward]_{1230-his ward} . The greater part of that fortnight was spent at [Venice]_52-venice , where [Anne Brown]_171-anne had never been , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin parted company from [them]_1305-they to return to [England]_37-england , only at [Munich]_53-munich . [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} was of that particular type of Englishwoman which , however much it may marry , always seems to remain [an old maid]_{1308-an old maid} ; but [an old maid whose old‐maidishness is an incapacity of feeling any difference of age between [herself]_{230-mrs simson} and [[her]_{230-mrs simson} youngers]_{1310-her youngers} , of maintaining any stateliness of superior age and experience : a hopeful , believing , shrewd , happy‐go‐lucky , enthusiastic creature , invariably making one think of [a remarkably good‐natured old grey mare]_{1311-a remarkably good‐natured old grey mare}]_{1309-an old maid whose old‐maidishness is an incapacity of feeling any difference of age between herself and her youngers , of maintaining any stateliness of superior age and experience : a hopeful , believing , shrewd , happy‐go‐lucky , enthusiastic creature , invariably making one think of a remarkably good‐natured old grey mare} . Youth was the greatest attraction in [the world]_{496-the world} to [her]_{230-mrs simson} , and [she]_{230-mrs simson} identified [herself]_{230-mrs simson} completely with [the young women that came under [her]_{230-mrs simson} influence]_{1313-the young women that came under her influence} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had known [her]_{230-mrs simson} in [his]_145-hamlin boyish days , and lately , passing along [the Rhine]_{54-the rhine} , had stayed with [her]_{230-mrs simson} for a day or two in [[her]_{230-mrs simson} old‐fashioned house]_{1314-her old‐fashioned house} by [the confluence of [the Rhine]_{54-the rhine} and [the Mosel]_{55-the mosel}]_{1315-the confluence of the rhine and the mosel} . The impression that [this school]_{1316-this school} was so utterly unlike [any of [the girls ’ schools [he]_145-hamlin had read of in novels]_{1318-the girls ’ schools he had read of in novels}]_{1317-any of the girls ’ schools he had read of in novels} ; the impression that [a young woman]_{581-a young woman} might develop there into whatever pleasant thing nature intended,—had been so strong , that from the moment of [his]_145-hamlin first contemplating a possible marriage with [[the Perrys]_{1062-the perrys} ’ servant]_{1229-the perrys ’ servant} , [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} and [[her]_{230-mrs simson} school at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz]_{1302-her school at coblenz} had formed an essential part of [his]_145-hamlin plans . [The lady]_{3881-the lady} , on the other hand , was exactly [the kind of woman to whom a situation like this]_{1324-the kind of woman to whom a situation like this} would appeal : [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , whom [she]_{3881-the lady} had entertained on buns and ginger‐beer , and then , in later years , raved over after the first sonnet which [he]_145-hamlin sent to the ‘ Athenæum , ’ had always been [her]_{3881-the lady} especial object of adoration ; and [his]_145-hamlin adoption of [a beautiful and strange young woman]_{1325-a beautiful and strange young woman} , [his]_145-hamlin preparation of [a bride for [himself]_145-hamlin]_{1326-a bride for himself} , was for [her]_{3881-the lady} the finishing touch to [his]_145-hamlin perfection . [She]_{3881-the lady} would indeed have preferred had [Anne Brown]_171-anne been small and fair , and garrulous and impish , and shown a love for mathematics and flirtation ; but , nevertheless , [Anne Brown]_171-anne , inasmuch as [she]_171-anne was [the elect of [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin]_{1327-the elect of walter hamlin} , and inasmuch as [she]_171-anne was [a beautiful young creature]_{1328-a beautiful young creature} , immediately won the facile but not fickle heart of [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} . The whole business seemed to [her]_{3881-the lady} as natural as possible ; and it was [she]_{3881-the lady} who proposed that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin should accompany [her]_{3881-the lady} and [[his]_145-hamlin ward]_{1230-his ward} part of [their]_1330-their way northwards . What was [Anne]_171-anne ’s own condition ? During those hours in [the train]_{1061-the train} , when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was for ever jumping out and overwhelming [them]_1330-their with coffee and stale cakes and newspapers at [every station]_{1332-every station} ; during those days at [Venice]_52-venice , when [they]_1330-their stayed at [the same hotel]_{1333-the same hotel} ( [the headwaiter]_{1334-the headwaiter} quite spontaneously wrote “ [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} and [niece]_4447-niece ”_{[1334-the headwaiter]} in [the strangers]_{1335-the strangers} ’ book ) , and spent [their]_1330-their days in [picture‐galleries]_{1336-picture‐galleries} and [churches]_{1337-churches} and gondolas , and [their]_1330-their evenings at theatres,—during all that journey [Anne]_171-anne was as cold , and silent , and melancholy as [she]_171-anne had been when first [they]_1330-their had met at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} ; indeed [any man]_{1338-any man} but [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and [any woman]_{1339-any woman} except [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , would probably have been disheartened and disgusted by this apparent stolidity of behaviour . But [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} had already made up [her]_{230-mrs simson} character of [Anne Brown]_171-anne , and fallen in love with it quite independent of realities ; and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was rather pleased that the creature whom [he]_145-hamlin was going to teach how to think and how to feel , did not manifest any particular mode of thinking and feeling of [her]_171-anne own . So [they]_1330-their were both extremely assiduous to [Anne Brown]_171-anne , and in reality thought much more about what [she]_171-anne was going to be than about what [she]_171-anne actually was . The fact was that [the poor girl]_{1188-the poor girl} was in a dazed condition — that all this journey seemed to [her]_{1188-the poor girl} unreal , and all the things around [her]_{1188-the poor girl} unsubstantial . [Her]_{1188-the poor girl} head felt hollow , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} seemed to be informed about [her]_{1188-the poor girl} feelings rather than to experience them , [her]_{1188-the poor girl} own words sounded as if through a whispering‐gallery . A couple of weeks ago [she]_{1188-the poor girl} had had so strong a consciousness of identity and existence , of [her]_{1188-the poor girl} own desires and hopes ; now [she]_{1188-the poor girl} could not well understand how [she]_{1188-the poor girl} came to be where [she]_{1188-the poor girl} was . Sometimes , while mechanically talking with [[her]_{1188-the poor girl} companions]_{1341-her companions} or walking in [their]_{1341-her companions} company , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} used to ask [herself]_{1188-the poor girl} how it had all come about , and then [she]_{1188-the poor girl} could see no reason for it all ; it seemed accidental , inexplicable , causeless , and almost incredible . Whenever , on the other hand , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} awakened to the reality of things , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} was depressed by a sense of transition ; [she]_{1188-the poor girl} was afraid of speaking , and almost of feeling . As long as [she]_{1188-the poor girl} had been [[the Perrys]_{1062-the perrys} ’ servant]_{1229-the perrys ’ servant} , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} had experienced no shyness with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; as far as [her]_{1188-the poor girl} taciturn nature would allow , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} had spoken out whatever [she]_{1188-the poor girl} had thought or felt , without considering whether or not it might surprise , annoy , or amuse [him]_145-hamlin . Now , on the contrary , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} gradually became conscious of a fear lest [Hamlin]_145-hamlin should have cheated [himself]_145-hamlin in choosing [her]_{1188-the poor girl} . Unable to tell any one of this feeling , [she]_{1188-the poor girl} let it overshadow [her]_{1188-the poor girl} . One evening at [Munich]_53-munich , two or three days before [they]_1344-they parted company with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , coming into [[Anne]_171-anne ’s room]_{1345-anne ’s room} , found [the girl]_{583-the girl} seated with [her]_{583-the girl} head in the pillows of [her]_{583-the girl} bed , sobbing . [The excellent and somewhat romantic heart of [the schoolmistress]_{1306-the schoolmistress}]_{1347-the excellent and somewhat romantic heart of the schoolmistress} immediately melted at this sight . “ [[My]_{230-mrs simson} dear child]_{4448-my dear child} , ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [she]_{230-mrs simson} cried , looking more than ever like [a friendly grey old mare]_{1349-a friendly grey old mare} , “ what is the matter with [you]_{4448-my dear child} ? ”_{[230-mrs simson]} But [Anne]_171-anne merely buried [her]_171-anne head deeper in the pillows , and sobbed harder than before . “ What is the matter ? ”_{[231-mrs sireson]} repeated [Mrs Sireson]_{231-mrs sireson} , laying [her]_{231-mrs sireson} hand on [Anne]_171-anne ’s shoulder . “ Oh , leave [me]_{583-the girl} , leave [me]_{583-the girl} ! ”_{[583-the girl]} moaned [the girl]_{583-the girl} . [Mrs Simpson]_{232-mrs simpson} gently passed [her]_{232-mrs simpson} arm under [the prostrate girl]_{1351-the prostrate girl} ’s breast , and lifted [her]_{1351-the prostrate girl} up from the bed . “ What is the matter with [you]_{4448-my dear child} , [[my]_{232-mrs simpson} dear]_{4237-my dear} ? ”_{[232-mrs simpson]} [she]_{232-mrs simpson} asked . “ Nothing — nothing , ”_[171-anne] sobbed [Anne]_171-anne , trying to hide [her]_171-anne cried‐out eyes with [her]_171-anne hands . “ Nonsense ; nothing ! ”_{[230-mrs simson]} said [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , briskly . “ [You]_{4448-my dear child} are unhappy about something , [[you]_{4448-my dear child} poor little thing]_{4450-you poor little thing} . ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [Girls]_1352-girls , and especially [girls in distress]_{1353-girls in distress} , invariably appeared little to [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , even when , like [Anne Brown]_171-anne , [they]_1352-girls overtopped [her]_{230-mrs simson} by a good head . “ Something is the matter with [you]_{4448-my dear child} , ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [she]_{230-mrs simson} insisted . “ Now just let [us]_4451-us see together what it may be ; ”_{[230-mrs simson]} and [she]_{230-mrs simson} made [the reluctant girl]_{1354-the reluctant girl} sit down by [her]_{230-mrs simson} side on the sofa . “ Are [you]_{4448-my dear child} homesick?—do [you]_{4448-my dear child} feel very strange , [poor dearie]_{4452-poor dearie} , with [strange people]_{4453-strange people} ? — are [you]_{4448-my dear child} frightened a little by the sudden change in [your]_{4448-my dear child} life?—it ’s very natural , [[my]_{230-mrs simson} dear little girl]_{4454-my dear little girl} , but [you]_{4448-my dear child} ’ll get over it soon . ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head . But the impossibility of making [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} understand what depressed [her]_171-anne , sent the sobs once more into [her]_171-anne voice . “ No , no , ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [she]_{230-mrs simson} said ; “ oh no , no — [you]_{230-mrs simson} ca n’t understand . [I]_{230-mrs simson} do n’t feel lonely — [I]_{230-mrs simson} do n’t feel unhappy — but it ’s only because [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin — ”_{[230-mrs simson]} “ Because [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin is going away , [[my]_{230-mrs simson} dear]_{4237-my dear} ? ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} smiled as [she]_{230-mrs simson} kissed [Anne]_171-anne on the crisp iron‐black hair , for [the girl]_{583-the girl} would not loosen [her]_{230-mrs simson} hands from [her]_{583-the girl} face—“Because [he]_145-hamlin is going away ? That ’s very natural too ; but it wo n’t be for long , [dearest]_4456-dearest . ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [Anne]_171-anne broke loose from [her]_{230-mrs simson} embrace . “ It ’s not that ! it ’s not that ! ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [she]_{230-mrs simson} sobbed ; “ please go away — [you]_{230-mrs simson} ca n’t understand — it ’s not that ! Oh no , [I]_{230-mrs simson} shall be glad when [he]_145-hamlin be gone away ! ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} rose . At first [she]_{230-mrs simson} felt pained , disgusted ; but [her]_{230-mrs simson} frigidness melted with the speedy reflection that [girls]_1352-girls do n’t know what the matter is with [them]_1352-girls in such cases . “ Good‐bye , [dear]_4117-dear , ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [she]_{230-mrs simson} said ; “ [I]_{230-mrs simson} shall send [you]_4117-dear up some tea in a few minutes ; that will set [you]_4117-dear all right . But do n’t fret because [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin is going . [You]_4117-dear will see [him]_145-hamlin soon again . ”_{[230-mrs simson]} “ [I]_171-anne shall be glad when [he]_145-hamlin is gone ! ”_[171-anne] repeated [Anne]_171-anne , in a paroxysm of grief . It was not a mere foolish , hysterical falsehood . It was a real relief when , one morning at [Frankfurt]_56-frankfurt , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was standing on [the platform of [the station]_{1358-the station}]_{1357-the platform of the station} , speaking to [them]_1359-them at the door of [[their]_1359-them carriage]_{1360-their carriage} . [The guard]_{1361-the guard} came to slam the door . “ Good‐bye , [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , ”_[145-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ Good‐bye , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Good‐bye , [sir]_3865-sir , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered , extending [her]_171-anne hand . [He]_145-hamlin kissed it hurriedly . The door was slammed . [The train]_{1061-the train} moved on slowly , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin walked along [its]_{1061-the train} side . Gradually it went quicker and quicker , and [Anne Brown]_171-anne saw [Hamlin]_145-hamlin for a minute on [the platform]_{1363-the platform} ; [he]_145-hamlin was pale , but radiant . [He]_145-hamlin waved [his]_145-hamlin hand . “ [A rivederci]_{4459-a rivederci} ! ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin cried , waving [his]_145-hamlin hat . A pillar of [the station]_{1358-the station} hid [him]_145-hamlin . [Anne]_171-anne turned away from the window and opened a book which [he]_145-hamlin had given [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne read so assiduously all that day , that poor [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , who was [a sociable woman]_{1365-a sociable woman} , resorted , in sheer despair , to talking with [the other travellers]_{1366-the other travellers} , who stared in puzzled surprise at [the tall girl with the melancholy pale face]_{1367-the tall girl with the melancholy pale face} and masses of crimp black hair who sat opposite [her]_171-anne . When [they]_1368-they had got out of [the train]_{1061-the train} , rattled over [the round stones of [Coblenz]_51-coblenz]_{1370-the round stones of coblenz} , and were finally following [the obstreperously welcoming cook]_{1371-the obstreperously welcoming cook} and [housemaid]_{1372-housemaid} up the stairs of [[Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s house]_{1373-mrs simson ’s house} , [Anne]_171-anne felt relieved . And when [she]_171-anne had been left alone in [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} , [she]_171-anne felt a weight off [her]_171-anne . When [she]_171-anne had taken some things out of [her]_171-anne box , [she]_171-anne went to the window . The last flare of sunset was on the marblelike brownish‐green swirls of [the Rhine]_{54-the rhine} ; and filaments of reddish gold streaked the sky above [Ehrenbreitstein]_{50-ehrenbreitstein} , whose windows gleamed crimson . [A steamer]_{1375-a steamer} was puffing and whistling by [the wharf]_{1376-the wharf} ; the trumpets of the rappel shrieked through [the streets]_{4115-the streets} and were reechoed from [the opposite shore]_{1378-the opposite shore} . From inside [the house]_{509-the house} rose the sound of a piano ; [some one]_{1380-some one} was playing [Bach]_234-bach ’s “ Mein gläubiges Herz . ”_{[1380-some one]} It was the beginning of a new life . [Anne Brown]_171-anne left the window , hung [her]_171-anne clothes in the wardrobe , folded [her]_171-anne linen in the drawers . Then [she]_171-anne took from [her]_171-anne trunk a framed photograph of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and stuck it on [her]_171-anne dressing‐table ; [he]_145-hamlin was very handsome , with [his]_145-hamlin straight , keen‐featured , almost beardless Norman face and waves of light hair : [she]_171-anne looked at it long . Then [she]_171-anne dived to the bottom of [her]_171-anne trunk and brought out two little books ; the “ Petrarch ”_[171-anne] [he]_145-hamlin had given [her]_171-anne at [Lucca]_9-lucca , and the volume of [his]_145-hamlin own poems . [She]_171-anne sat down by the open window and began reading them , and glancing at the redness dying away from river and sky . [She]_171-anne felt very solemn and happy . “ [I]_171-anne must become worthy of [him]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne thought . LIFE was monotonous enough at [[Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz]_{1381-mrs simson ’s at coblenz} ; but it was a kind of monotony which to [Anne Brown]_171-anne was positively exciting . It was for [her]_171-anne a process of absorption into another class of life ; and as such , represented a daily influx of new ideas and habits , a daily surprise , effort , and adjustment . By virtue of [her]_171-anne half‐Italian nature , [Anne]_171-anne required but little to make [her]_171-anne , in education and manners , [a lady]_{3943-a lady} . With [her]_171-anne wide‐open but rather empty mind , [her]_171-anne seriousness and dignity of [person]_1383-person , extreme simpleness , as the reverse of complexity of character , it was wholly unnecessary that [she]_171-anne should unlearn anything , or even that [she]_171-anne should absorb anything absolutely new ; the only thing was to fill up the magnificent design which already existed in [her]_171-anne . [No one]_{3899-no one} ever required to say to [Anne]_171-anne , “ [You]_171-anne must not do , or think , or say such or such a thing . ”_{[3899-no one]} [She]_171-anne surprised [people]_577-people only by [her]_171-anne timidity , [her]_171-anne silence , [her]_171-anne passiveness , and by a sort of haughtiness which accompanied [them]_577-people strangely enough ; a certain solemn , and , at the same time , abrupt way of judging of things and treating [people]_577-people , and which was the mental counterpart of [her]_171-anne look , gait , nay , even of the folds which [her]_171-anne dresses took on [her]_171-anne . Ignorant though [she]_171-anne was , [she]_171-anne seemed at [her]_171-anne ease with the new culture with which [she]_171-anne was presented , just as , for all [her]_171-anne habits of waiting on instead of being served , [she]_171-anne seemed at ease in [her]_171-anne behaviour . But it was difficult for [Anne]_171-anne to tune [herself]_171-anne or get [herself]_171-anne tuned to the pitch of the everyday feelings and life of [[her]_171-anne companions]_{1341-her companions} ; [she]_171-anne could not understand [these young ladies]_{1388-these young ladies} . [The girls at [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} did not exceed half‐a‐dozen , and [they]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} were [none of [them]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} [schoolgirls]_{1391-schoolgirls}]_{1390-none of them schoolgirls} in the ordinary sense . [They]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} were , like [Anne]_171-anne , [eccentrically placed young women]_{1392-eccentrically placed young women} ; [orphans]_1393-orphans , or [girls whose parents]_{1394-girls whose parents} were in [the colonies]_{1395-the colonies} , or [girls who could not get on at home,—girls]_{1396-girls who could not get on at home,—girls} , all of [them]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} , with a certain pretension to superiority , and a great habit of independence , which was fostered by [the schoolmistress]_{1306-the schoolmistress} , whose theory was that [women]_3959-women could not possibly be left too much to [their]_3959-women own devices . [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} was very fond of preaching this gospel of higher education , to the great scandal of [the respectable German matrons whom [she]_{230-mrs simson} visited]_{1399-the respectable german matrons whom she visited} . “ [Narrow‐minded , vicious creatures]_{4460-narrow‐minded , vicious creatures} , ”_{[230-mrs simson]} [she]_{230-mrs simson} used to say , who shook [their]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} heads at [the young ladies attending public lectures]_{1400-the young ladies attending public lectures} , walking about by [themselves]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} , and flirting in the most stalwart and open manner ( quite unsentimental and unwomanly , said [the Germans]_{235-the germans} ) with [the Prussian officers]_{1401-the prussian officers} . Of [these girls]_{1402-these girls} two were [orphans]_1393-orphans , and had been sent to [Coblenz]_51-coblenz as a convenient riddance by [[their]_1393-orphans guardians]_{1404-their guardians} ; [one]_620-one had been deposited in [Europe]_39-europe by [[her]_620-one parents]_{1406-her parents} , to be called for when educated , and shipped off to [New Zealand]_{57-new zealand} ; one , [a huge damsel approaching thirty]_{1407-a huge damsel approaching thirty} , was studying eye‐ surgery with [a famous Rhenish oculist]_{1408-a famous rhenish oculist} ; [the fifth]_{1409-the fifth} was going to [Girton]_58-girton and was studying German ; [the sixth]_{1410-the sixth} had found [[her]_{1410-the sixth} [home]_4170-home]_{1411-her home} too much for [her]_{1410-the sixth} , and was perpetually complaining of the hardness of [her]_{1410-the sixth} fate and the viciousness of [her]_{1410-the sixth} own character , aspiring to impossible ideals of knowledge and usefulness and self‐sacrifice , and spending [her]_{1410-the sixth} leisure making up frocks in which to disport [herself]_{1410-the sixth} at the garrison balls . Each of [them]_1413-them studied whatsoever [she]_{1410-the sixth} thought fit : [Greek and Latin professors]_{1414-greek and latin professors} , [piano and singing masters]_{1415-piano and singing masters} , [German governesses]_{1416-german governesses} , were perpetually going in and out of [the house]_{509-the house} ; [the girls]_{1418-the girls} were continually running to lectures on botany or physiology or comparative philology , where [the youth of [the town]_{829-the town}]_{1419-the youth of the town} eyed [the Schöne Engländerinnen]_{236-the schöne engländerinnen} with rapture , sending [them]_{1418-the girls} anonymous bouquets and verses , and bringing [them]_{1418-the girls} serenades , and even , to poor [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s horror , slipping love‐letters of the most burning description into the door‐hinges . Among [these girls]_{1402-these girls} [poor Anne]_171-anne would have felt utterly lost , had [she]_171-anne not been accustomed for years to be [[her]_171-anne own sole company]_{1422-her own sole company} , letting [her]_171-anne life brush by that of [other folk]_{681-other folk} , without ever mixing . It seemed to [her]_171-anne quite natural to exchange one kind of isolation for another : to drudge on at improving [her]_171-anne own mind as [she]_171-anne had formerly drudged on at mending the clothes and making the beds of [the little Perrys]_{645-the little perrys} , interesting [herself]_171-anne as little in , and awakening as little interest among , [[her]_171-anne companions]_{1341-her companions} as [she]_171-anne had done among [[her]_171-anne fellow‐servants in [Italy]_1-italy]_{1426-her fellow‐servants in italy} . [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} had received full instructions from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as to all the things which [she]_171-anne was and was not to teach or have taught to [[his]_145-hamlin ward]_{1230-his ward} ; and [Anne]_171-anne would have been perfectly satisfied with working for [her]_171-anne French and [German masters]_{1428-german masters} , preparing [her]_171-anne lessons of geography and history , and reading such books as [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would send [her]_171-anne , but [the other girls]_{1429-the other girls} were not at all so minded . [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s arrival created a tremendous sensation in [[Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s establishment]_{1430-mrs simson ’s establishment} . [Her]_171-anne strange kind of beauty , which did not strike [the conventional spectator]_{1431-the conventional spectator} as being beauty at all , excluding , as it did , fairness , rosiness , youthfulness , daintiness , liveliness , voluptuousness , sentimentalness , or any of the orthodox ingredients of female charm,—her wholly unlike‐everyone‐else appearance , [her]_171-anne silence , sullenness , haughtiness , all took [the girls]_{1418-the girls} by surprise . [Her]_171-anne shyness , ignorance , newness in [her]_171-anne position , was obvious from the very first day . The knowledge of what [she]_171-anne had been and what [she]_171-anne was going to be , all this romance was quickly wheedled out of [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} by [the misunderstood little girl who wished to turn [sister of mercy]_{1434-sister of mercy}]_{1433-the misunderstood little girl who wished to turn sister of mercy} , and carried on a simultaneous flirtation with [a lieutenant]_{1435-a lieutenant} , [a Bonn student]_{1436-a bonn student} , [a painter]_{500-a painter} , and [a piano‐master]_{1438-a piano‐master} ; and bullied out of [her]_171-anne by [the bouncing amazon who talked about nothing but retinal impressions and optic nerves]_{1439-the bouncing amazon who talked about nothing but retinal impressions and optic nerves} . From that moment [Anne]_171-anne became a subject of intense interest at [the school]_{1304-the school} : [most of [the girls]_{1418-the girls}]_{1441-most of the girls} had heard of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin in [England]_37-england , and [all of [them]_{1443-all of them}]_{1443-all of them} had heard of [him]_145-hamlin from [the enthusiastic schoolmistress]_{1444-the enthusiastic schoolmistress} . To possess in [their]_{1443-all of them} midst [his]_145-hamlin chosen one was a great privilege , although [they]_{1443-all of them} sometimes made fun of [Anne]_171-anne and [him]_145-hamlin behind [her]_171-anne back , drawing pictures of [the solemn and tragic girl dressed in the most draggled æsthetic manner]_{1445-the solemn and tragic girl dressed in the most draggled æsthetic manner} , surrounded by a circle of [young æsthetes copied out of ‘ Punch ’ ( Bunthome]_{1446-young æsthetes copied out of ‘ punch ’ ( bunthome} did not exist at that time ) holding lilies and swinging censers as [she]_171-anne went . [They]_{1443-all of them} all thought [Anne]_171-anne [a strange , awe‐inspiring , and , at the same time , somewhat ridiculous person]_{1447-a strange , awe‐inspiring , and , at the same time , somewhat ridiculous person} ; but [they]_{1443-all of them} all got to like [her]_171-anne , although [the misunderstood High Church flirt]_{1448-the misunderstood high church flirt} could never be got to see why [Anne]_171-anne should despise [officers]_984-officers and [garrison balls]_{1450-garrison balls} ; and [the scientific girl of twenty‐eight]_{1451-the scientific girl of twenty‐eight} thought æstheticism and æsthetic poets idiotic and immoral ; and each of [the others]_{881-the others} found some reservation to make about [the Italian]_{1453-the italian} , as [they]_{1443-all of them} called [her]_171-anne . Yet , as [I]_0-i said , [they]_{1443-all of them} did grow to like [her]_171-anne ; and [Anne]_171-anne , who was unaccustomed to friendliness , was so touched by the familiarity and good‐nature of [[her]_171-anne companions]_{1341-her companions} , that [she]_171-anne gradually began to take a great and serious interest in [their]_{1443-all of them} concerns . [She]_171-anne became quite enthusiastic about ocular surgery , listening with scarcely any shudders to the narration of the most complicated operations ; [she]_171-anne let [herself]_171-anne be overwhelmed with discourses about Middle High German and Gothic , and the connection with [Sanskrit]_237-sanskrit ; [she]_171-anne firmly believed in the mystical fervours , the desire of self‐sacrifice , the wasted passion of [the little fair‐haired flirt]_{1455-the little fair‐haired flirt} , reasoning seriously about [them]_{1443-all of them} , and trying to check what [she]_171-anne believed to be a suicidal tendency ; [she]_171-anne was greatly touched by the home‐sickness and family squabbles of [the other girls]_{1429-the other girls} . Not that [Anne]_171-anne was [a fool]_{4435-a fool} , or made to be [a dupe]_{1458-a dupe} ; on the contrary , [she]_171-anne saw well enough the funniness of the contrasts between [[her]_171-anne friends]_{1459-her friends} ’ words and [their]_{1443-all of them} life ; but [Anne]_171-anne was so earnest , so simple , so homogeneous of nature , [she]_171-anne was so fervent in all [her]_171-anne feelings , that [she]_171-anne always imagined that the serious things which [people]_577-people said or affected must be the reality ; and , as in [her]_171-anne own case , the levity , the frivolousness , the fickleness , must be the mere exterior clothing of social fictions . Thus [she]_171-anne gave [her]_171-anne sympathy wherever it was asked for , while asking for no sympathy [herself]_171-anne . [The girls]_{1418-the girls} used often to remark upon this , and complain that for all [they]_{1418-the girls} did , [Anne Brown]_171-anne remained surrounded by a sort of moral moat , alone , isolated , impregnable in a kind of moral fortress . AS [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had fancied , while painting [Anne]_171-anne ’s portrait , so [the girls at [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s]_{1389-the girls at mrs simson ’s} used to fancy that there could not be much going on inside [this taciturn and undemonstrative creature]_{1463-this taciturn and undemonstrative creature} . But it was not so . While [Anne]_171-anne looked so quiet , said so little ( and least of all about [herself]_171-anne ) during those two years of school , a drama — nay , a whole life‐poem — was incessantly going on within [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne worked indefatigably at [her]_171-anne lessons , read every book [she]_171-anne could lay hold of , was taken to concerts , lectures , burgher tea‐parties and garrison balls , and on excursions up and down [the Rhine]_{54-the rhine} and into [the neighbouring hills]_{1464-the neighbouring hills} ; but all this was but as an exterior life surrounding [an interior one]_{1465-an interior one} , as the movement of [the ship]_{1466-the ship} to the movement of [the passengers]_{1467-the passengers} on its deck . The real life was not with [these girls]_{1402-these girls} and [these teachers]_{1469-these teachers} , but with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; not in [this Rhineland town]_{1470-this rhineland town} , but in [the distant places where [he]_145-hamlin travelled]_{1471-the distant places where he travelled} . [He]_145-hamlin wrote to [her]_171-anne very often , from [London]_4-london , from [Italy]_1-italy , from [Greece]_59-greece and [Egypt]_30-egypt , and wherever [he]_145-hamlin roamed about . At first [she]_171-anne was surprised by the frequency of [his]_145-hamlin letters ; then [she]_171-anne became accustomed to it as to a necessity of [her]_171-anne existence , but a necessity to which [she]_171-anne had no right . It seemed to [her]_171-anne wonderful that [he]_145-hamlin should write so often , and yet that the time which elapsed between [his]_145-hamlin letters should be intolerable . In [her]_171-anne great desire for [them]_1472-them [she]_171-anne used to have recourse to all manner of unconscious sophistications . [She]_171-anne tried to train [herself]_171-anne to disappointment , to chastise [her]_171-anne own impatience and greediness , saying to [herself]_171-anne , on the days when [she]_171-anne thought that a letter might come , “ It is impossible that there should be one to‐day , ”_[171-anne] although [her]_171-anne heart fell when the prophecy sometimes came true ; and [she]_171-anne stayed up‐stairs , [her]_171-anne eyes pinned to [her]_171-anne book , when [she]_171-anne heard [the postman]_{1473-the postman} ’s ring at the door , although that ring put [her]_171-anne all into a tremble , and made [her]_171-anne feel faint when [she]_171-anne heard it . Thus with the letters from [him]_145-hamlin . It was almost worse about [her]_171-anne own answers . Often [she]_171-anne could stand it no longer , and would begin a letter to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin — only a few lines , which might be finished when [his]_145-hamlin next letter should be received . The few lines turned to pages ; yet the next day no letter would come , and [she]_171-anne was unable to resist the temptation of writing even more ; then , when the long‐wished letter at last came , there came with it such a number of new things to say , that [her]_171-anne previous epistle must needs be torn up . Also , on re‐reading what [she]_171-anne had written in answer to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [she]_171-anne was often filled with shame and fear . [She]_171-anne had entertained [him]_145-hamlin with such trifles , or been so pedantic , or put things in such a horrid way , [she]_171-anne must needs tear it up and write once more . Then the length , the frequency of [her]_171-anne letters frightened [her]_171-anne : [he]_145-hamlin would grow weary and impatient ; [she]_171-anne tried to write briefly , but failed ; [she]_171-anne tried to write rarely , making solemn resolutions to let two , three , or four days pass without answering [him]_145-hamlin ; but it was not of much use . [She]_171-anne was dreadfully afraid lest [Hamlin]_145-hamlin should think [her]_171-anne a drag upon [him]_145-hamlin , lest [he]_145-hamlin should write one single letter more than [he]_145-hamlin would naturally have done , from goodness to [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne never told [him]_145-hamlin with what tremulous expectancy [she]_171-anne waited for the post ; with what heartburn [she]_171-anne saw it come empty‐handed ; with what avidity [she]_171-anne read [his]_145-hamlin letters , re‐read them furtively by snatches , carried them about in [her]_171-anne pocket , made them last over days , till [she]_171-anne knew them by heart , and , even then , how [she]_171-anne was for ever doing up and undoing again the packet in which [she]_171-anne kept them : if [he]_145-hamlin knew that , [he]_145-hamlin might feel obliged , being so kind , to write oftener ; and that must not be . [Any one who had seen these letters which were [her]_171-anne soul ’s food]_{1474-any one who had seen these letters which were her soul ’s food} , would have been surprised how they could awaken such a longing , how they could produce such emotion and keep alive such passion . In accordance with [his]_145-hamlin whole plan of proceedings , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin never once wrote to [Anne]_171-anne as if there were any question of [her]_171-anne ever becoming [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} . “ [[My]_1476-they dear]_{4237-my dear} [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[1476-they] [they]_1476-they all ceremoniously began , and ended off “ [Yours]_171-anne sincerely , ”_[1476-they] or “ [[Your]_171-anne sincere friend]_{4462-your sincere friend} , [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_[1476-they] Affectionate [they]_1476-they were , and even adoring , in the sense of looking up , or affecting to look up , at [her]_171-anne as a sort of superhuman and wonderful creature , not quite conscious of [its]_1477-its wonderfulness , perhaps , and certainly not responsible for it ; the mental attitude of [an artist]_{3956-an artist} before [a beautiful model]_{1479-a beautiful model} , of [some Italian medieval poet]_{1480-some italian medieval poet} before [a Platonic mistress]_{1481-a platonic mistress} . There was not much perception of the reality of [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s personality , nor indeed of [her]_171-anne having any personality at all , being a thing with feelings , thoughts , hopes , interests of [her]_171-anne own . Sometimes even [poor Anne]_171-anne felt , on reading [his]_1482-his letters , as if a lump of ice had been laid on [her]_171-anne heart , when [she]_171-anne came upon certain sentences ; [she]_171-anne could scarcely tell [you]_1483-you why , but those sentences made [her]_171-anne feel numb and alone , like a wrecked sailor at [the north pole]_{1484-the north pole} , for days . Then a reaction came ; a burning indignation with [herself]_171-anne , a burning adoration of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [She]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne had done [him]_1482-his some injury ; and once or twice , amid tears of shame , [she]_171-anne wrote that [she]_171-anne had become unworthy of [his]_1482-his friendship — why , [she]_171-anne could not well explain . But [she]_171-anne tore it all up , or left only dim hints which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin misunderstood , and became more respectful and adoring than ever , imagining that [he]_1482-his must have said something to slight [her]_171-anne . [He]_145-hamlin really was adoring ; it was such a lovely Madonna this , that it seemed to [him]_145-hamlin that all the most beautiful and precious things of [his]_145-hamlin mind , and [other men]_{1485-other men} ’s minds , must be heaped up before [her]_171-anne , like offerings of flowers , and rich ointments , and jewels , and music . [He]_145-hamlin copied out pages of poetry and prose in [his]_145-hamlin letters , and wrote to [her]_171-anne the most lovely descriptions of things [he]_145-hamlin saw or things [he]_145-hamlin felt . Whenever [he]_145-hamlin recollected a fine poem , or saw a beautiful scene , or was struck by a beautiful thought or a happy expression , [he]_145-hamlin hastened to offer it to [Anne]_171-anne , as [the kings of [the East]_{38-the east}]_{1486-the kings of the east} offered gold and frankincense and embroidered raiment to [the little Christ]_{1487-the little christ} . That this was the result of [his]_145-hamlin love , [she]_171-anne never thought ; for [she]_171-anne never ventured to think that [he]_145-hamlin condescended , or even would ever condescend , to love [her]_171-anne ; but it was in [her]_171-anne eyes the result of [his]_145-hamlin greatness , [his]_145-hamlin generosity , the largesse , as it were , of [his]_145-hamlin sublimity . About [himself]_145-hamlin [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would also write a great , great deal . Of singularly delicate mental fibre , and somewhat weak will , [he]_145-hamlin was for ever tormented ( or pretending to [himself]_145-hamlin to be tormented , for to be so was pretty well a matter of choice ) by unattainable ideals , by conflicts in [his]_145-hamlin own nature : mysterious temptations of unspeakable things , beckoning [his]_145-hamlin nobler nature into the mud , which [he]_145-hamlin never at all specified , but which moved [Anne]_171-anne to agonies of grief and admiration . [The poor girl]_{1188-the poor girl} , not understanding how such things will shoot up in the poetic mind as a result of mere reading , and be nurtured there for a day for the sake of [their]_1489-their strange colour , would screw up all [her]_171-anne might to help [him]_145-hamlin , writing to [him]_145-hamlin to be patient , to be strong and bold , to remember the nobility of [his]_145-hamlin nature,—strange passionately earnest entreaties written in tears , or in moods like those which send [people]_577-people to the stake ; and which , in [their]_1489-their ludicrous disproportionateness to [their]_1489-their cause , would bring the tears to almost any one ’s eyes who should read them . A strange correspondence ; and of which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s half , although beautiful with all manner of artistic prettinesses , would have struck one as the less beautiful and interesting part : the suppressed passionateness , unconscious of itself , of [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s letters , [her]_{583-the girl} mixture of prim literary daintiness , absorbed from [her]_{583-the girl} reading , and of homely , tragically‐hurled‐about imagery ( [Hamlin]_145-hamlin used , without revealing [the author]_{1492-the author} , to read out some of these metaphors of [Anne]_171-anne ’s to [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} , pointing out [their]_{893-his friends} Elizabethan , Webster‐like character ) , were much more really striking . But [Anne]_171-anne thought that what [she]_171-anne wrote was unworthy to be seen by [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; [his]_145-hamlin condescension was mere goodness . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , indeed , was very good to [her]_171-anne — very gentle , courteous , generous , and assiduous . There was scarcely a book read by [Anne Brown]_171-anne which was not of [his]_145-hamlin selecting ; and even in the midst of [his]_145-hamlin journeys [he]_145-hamlin used to elaborately select things for [her]_171-anne reading , cutting out all but a very few pieces out of books of poetry , and copying and pasting into them all manner of extracts . “ [I]_145-hamlin should be grieved to think that anything save the very best should ever be read by [you]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin often wrote . Thus , in the most singular way , [Anne]_171-anne , only [a nursemaid a few months before]_{1494-a nursemaid a few months before} , became more deeply versed in poetry and poetical and picturesque history than [most girls]_{1495-most girls} ; Greek lyrism , Oriental mysticism , French æstheticism , but above all , things medieval and pseudo‐medieval ; imbued with the imagery and sentiment of [that strange eclectic school of [our]_1497-our days]_{1496-that strange eclectic school of our days} which [we]_1497-our still call pre‐Raphaelite . And such an education , while putting [her]_171-anne in complete harmony with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s aspirations and habits , also brought home to [her]_171-anne the merit of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s own work . Of [his]_145-hamlin pictures , [she]_171-anne had , indeed , only vague recollections , besides the little sketches , wonderful jewel‐coloured things , full of poetic suggestion , which [he]_145-hamlin would send [her]_171-anne at Christmas and on [her]_171-anne birthday , to the amazement of [the whole school]_{1498-the whole school} . But [he]_145-hamlin sent [her]_171-anne a good deal of [his]_145-hamlin poetry , and that only of the best . [She]_171-anne did not always understand exactly the things to which [he]_145-hamlin alluded , seeing only the beauty , the vague passionate wistfulness , the delicate sadness of what [he]_145-hamlin wrote . [His]_145-hamlin greatness perfectly confounded [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne found allusions to it in everything : in reading of [dead poets]_{1499-dead poets} , of [Shelley]_238-shelley , [Keats]_239-keats , [Goethe]_240-goethe , a kind of passionate interest thrilled through [her]_171-anne , for [she]_171-anne seemed to be reading about [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . And the same held good as to [artists]_1500-artists ; [they]_1500-artists were all [[his]_145-hamlin kinsmen]_{1501-his kinsmen} , of [his]_145-hamlin blood — nay , [they]_1500-artists all , in a mystic manner , foreshadowed [him]_145-hamlin . Of these matters [she]_171-anne never spoke to [any of [the girls]_{1418-the girls}]_{1502-any of the girls} . But often , while walking with [them]_{1418-the girls} , [her]_171-anne pride would swell with the thought that [she]_171-anne belonged to [him]_145-hamlin — that [he]_145-hamlin had chosen [her]_171-anne . And when [the New Zealander]_{241-the new zealander} , who was musical and had a fine voice , used sometimes to sing [Schumann]_242-schumann ’s song , “ Er [der herrlichste von allen]_{4463-der herrlichste von allen} , ”_{[241-the new zealander]} the words and the music sent a flood of love and pride to [her]_171-anne heart ; it was [he]_145-hamlin , “ [he]_145-hamlin the most glorious of all , ”_[145-hamlin] who was thus gracious and good to [her]_171-anne . THUS one year went by ; and then , slowly , another , while [Anne Brown]_171-anne was being transformed from [a nursemaid]_{616-a nursemaid} into [a lady]_{3943-a lady} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin saw [her]_171-anne twice during that time . Once , while [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} and [Anne]_171-anne were staying in [Paris]_42-paris — for [he]_145-hamlin had begged that [her]_171-anne holidays might be spent either in [Switzerland]_{60-switzerland} , or in [some place where [she]_171-anne might see pictures and statues]_{1506-some place where she might see pictures and statues} — when [he]_145-hamlin suddenly turned up for a day on [his]_145-hamlin way from [England]_37-england to [Greece]_59-greece ; and once at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz . [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} was giving a party : suddenly into [the parlour]_{1507-the parlour} , filled with [German matrons]_{1508-german matrons} and [damsels , with a sprinkling of professors]_{1509-damsels , with a sprinkling of professors} and [soldiers]_{1510-soldiers} , was introduced [a slight , fair man]_{1511-a slight , fair man} , who looked very young till [you]_1512-you saw [him]_145-hamlin closely , and at whose sight [that sombre , quiet , strange , half‐Italian girl]_{1513-that sombre , quiet , strange , half‐italian girl} had suddenly turned crimson , and clutched a chair , as if afraid to fall , while [the company]_{1514-the company} stared and whispered . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin left that same evening ; and as the day in [Paris]_42-paris had been spent in seeing and talking about pictures , so this afternoon passed in trifling conversation at [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s table . Alone , [Anne]_171-anne scarcely saw [him]_145-hamlin for an instant . Only , when [he]_145-hamlin left [Coblenz]_51-coblenz , [he]_145-hamlin seized [her]_171-anne hand as [he]_145-hamlin stood at the door , and kissed it fervently . It seemed to [her]_171-anne , during the long months of absence , that [she]_171-anne would give all [her]_171-anne life to see [him]_145-hamlin again , to be able to tell [him]_145-hamlin how grateful [she]_171-anne was to [him]_145-hamlin . Yet , in reality , [his]_145-hamlin presence passed like the picture of a magic‐lantern on a wall ; and [she]_171-anne felt as if [her]_171-anne lips were glued together : it was a vision , and no more . But on that second visit [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had been dazzled . [He]_145-hamlin had recognised from the first the exotic beauty and strangeness of [[the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} ’ servant]_{1229-the perrys ’ servant} ; [he]_145-hamlin had seen in [Paris]_42-paris that [his]_145-hamlin judgment had been correct ; but when , after eighteen months of schooling , [he]_145-hamlin suddenly saw [Anne]_171-anne again , it was as if [he]_145-hamlin had never seen [her]_171-anne before , a fresh revelation . A year and a half of [a lady]_{3943-a lady} ’s life , without bodily fatigue or mental weariness , had developed to the full [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s marvellous beauty : strange , mysterious , amazonian it was as ever ; but it was as the regalness of [a triumphant queen by the side of [the queenliness of [a deposed Amazon chief]_{1520-a deposed amazon chief}]_{1519-the queenliness of a deposed amazon chief}]_{1518-a triumphant queen by the side of the queenliness of a deposed amazon chief} . The haughtiness which had struck [him]_145-hamlin in [the nursemaid of the little Perrys]_{1521-the nursemaid of the little perrys} , was not diminished , but softened , by a kind of quiet graciousness and goodness . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin remarked that [she]_171-anne seemed , now that [she]_171-anne was no longer humbled and cramped , to have a much kindlier spirit and a sense of humour which had at first seemed scarcely to exist , or to exist only in bitterness . But what struck [him]_145-hamlin most of all was an indefinable change in [Anne]_171-anne ’s expression : the soul , which had lain as a tiny germ at the bottom of [her]_171-anne nature , had expanded and come to the surface . [She]_171-anne was as beautiful and singular as ever , but more manifold and subtle : [her]_171-anne mind had increased threefold . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin went away , intending that [Anne]_171-anne should remain at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz another year . But [he]_145-hamlin found that [his]_145-hamlin patience , hitherto inexhaustible , had suddenly departed . [He]_145-hamlin found the time intolerably heavy on [his]_145-hamlin hands . [He]_145-hamlin travelled about in [out‐of‐the‐way countries]_{1522-out‐of‐the‐way countries} , having fragmentary love‐affairs , in a dreamy , irresponsible way , with [other women]_{1523-other women} ; and sending [Anne]_171-anne more letters than usual , and presents of all manner of outlandish stuffs — silver ornaments and so forth — which used to create great excitement at [the school]_{1304-the school} ; but [he]_145-hamlin fretted with impatience . Impatience , be it well understood , not to marry [Anne]_171-anne , for [he]_145-hamlin always thought of marriage as the return from , the end of , a sort of spiritual honeymoon ; but impatience to commence that long courtship which had , from the beginning , been the object of [his]_145-hamlin desires . [He]_145-hamlin grew tired of [their]_1525-their correspondence , found that [he]_145-hamlin had exhausted all the delights of unconsciously revealed love , love budding and developing with [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s mind . It began to be mere repetition ; and [he]_145-hamlin scarcely knew what to write about now : the prologue had lasted long enough ; the piece must begin . One day , some two years or so after [her]_171-anne arrival at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz , [Anne Brown]_171-anne received a letter in which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin reminded [her]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne was twenty‐one , and that [his]_145-hamlin guardianship had consequently come to an end already some months before ; and suggested that , as [he]_145-hamlin heard that [her]_171-anne education was now completed , at least in so far as [Coblenz]_51-coblenz went , [he]_145-hamlin thought that it might be wiser if [she]_171-anne came to [England]_37-england , where [she]_171-anne would have better opportunities of continuing any special studies . Moreover , that [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} , [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , [a widow without any children]_{1528-a widow without any children} , was coming to settle in [London]_4-london , and that [he]_145-hamlin thought it might be a good arrangement that [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} and [Anne]_171-anne should live together , as [Anne]_171-anne could scarcely take [a house]_{1529-a house} by [herself]_171-anne . What did [Miss Brown]_171-anne think of this arrangement ? And would [she]_171-anne authorise [him]_145-hamlin to settle everything for [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} and [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} ? Faintly and vaguely [Anne]_171-anne thanked [him]_145-hamlin for [his]_145-hamlin forethought , and acquiesced in everything which [he]_145-hamlin might be kind enough to decide upon . [She]_171-anne had never realised [her]_171-anne situation , [she]_171-anne was not the sort of mind which has clear conceptions of the future , and [she]_171-anne had been far too much absorbed , these two years , in the unreal present . Besides , [Anne]_171-anne felt a confused pain , a disappointment , which prevented [her]_171-anne attending to anything else . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had said nothing about [himself]_145-hamlin , not a word as to whether [he]_145-hamlin also would settle in [London]_4-london , or whether [he]_145-hamlin intended continuing [his]_145-hamlin wandering life . And [she]_171-anne had not the courage to ask [him]_145-hamlin . [She]_171-anne was conscious of a coldness and emptiness in [her]_171-anne heart , of the disappointment of some vague , unspoken hope . But why feel disappointed ? or did [she]_171-anne really feel disappointed at all ? [She]_171-anne believed that [she]_171-anne cared for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin only as for [a benefactor]_{1530-a benefactor} , [a divinity]_{1531-a divinity} , [a creature who might bestow affection but could not be asked for it]_{1532-a creature who might bestow affection but could not be asked for it} ; and this being the case , and knowing [herself]_171-anne to have been perfectly satisfied and happy hitherto , [she]_171-anne persuaded [herself]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne really did not feel disappointed about anything , when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin thus wrote about [her]_171-anne education and [her]_171-anne plans and nothing else . But as the winter drew to a close , there came another letter from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ( all the intermediate ones had been only the usual talk about [himself]_145-hamlin , and about books and scenery ) telling [her]_171-anne that , with a view to [her]_171-anne living with [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} , [he]_145-hamlin had , as [[her]_171-anne ex‐guardian]_{1534-her ex‐guardian} ( [he]_145-hamlin always spoke of [himself]_145-hamlin as [[her]_171-anne guardian]_{1270-her guardian} , completely ignoring [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ) deemed it wise to employ part of [her]_171-anne capital , which had been accumulating in [his]_145-hamlin hands , in the purchase of the lease of [a house at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} , which [he]_145-hamlin was having prepared and furnished against [her]_171-anne coming in May.]_{1536-a house at hammersmith , which he was having prepared and furnished against her coming in may.} “ [It]_{1536-a house at hammersmith , which he was having prepared and furnished against her coming in may.} is in [a pretty neighbourhood]_{4464-a pretty neighbourhood} , with [the river]_{4465-the river} in front and [old houses]_{4466-old houses} and [gardens all round]_{4467-gardens all round} , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin wrote . “ What determined [my]_145-hamlin choice , as [I]_145-hamlin am sure it would have determined [yours]_4468-you also , is that [the house]_{509-the house} is [itself]_{509-the house} more than a century and a half old , and has some fine trees in [the garden]_{675-the garden} . Flowers seem to grow well , as it is pretty well beyond reach of smoke . There are also some fine elms and poplars in front , all along [the river‐side]_{4471-the river‐side} , which is old‐fashioned , and .not yet made into [a modern embankment]_{4472-a modern embankment} . [It]_{1536-a house at hammersmith , which he was having prepared and furnished against her coming in may.} is rather far from [the world]_{496-the world} ; but [the world]_{496-the world} is hideous , and the farther away from it the better , do n’t [you]_4468-you think ? [[My]_145-hamlin aunt]_{4294-my aunt} is busy about the practical household properties ; [I]_145-hamlin am getting in some of the more useless furniture . If [you]_4468-you should dislike the arrangement , it can all be easily undone . [I]_145-hamlin hope [you]_4468-you will not disapprove of this step ; [the house]_{509-the house} is pretty well unique , and [I]_145-hamlin had to decide on taking it , unless [some one else]_{1193-some one else} was to snap it up ; otherwise [I]_145-hamlin should certainly have consulted [you]_4468-you first . [I]_145-hamlin trust [you]_4468-you will forgive [me]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne put the letter down , and wondered whether [she]_171-anne was dreaming . What was all this about buying and consulting [her]_171-anne , employing [her]_171-anne capital ? What capital had [she]_171-anne got ? What right to be consulted ? For a moment [she]_171-anne felt quite bewildered ; and then the full consciousness of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s goodness rushed out and overwhelmed [her]_171-anne , and [she]_171-anne let [her]_171-anne head fall on [her]_171-anne desk and cried for sheer happiness . Then [she]_171-anne thought it must all be a dream , and snatched the letter where it lay all crumpled , and smoothed it out trembling . Yes , there it all was . And then , as postscript , came this sentence , which made [her]_171-anne heart leap : — “ There are [two rooms additional on [the garden]_{675-the garden}]_{4478-two rooms additional on the garden} , having a separate entrance from [the embankment]_{4480-the embankment} , and which [I]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} think [you]_4468-you will not at present require for [yourself]_4468-you . Would [you]_4468-you perhaps let [me]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} rent [them]_{4478-two rooms additional on the garden} for [a studio]_{1209-a studio} ? [[My]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} own lodgings]_{4482-my own lodgings} are a long way from [St John ’s House]_{61-st john ’s house} ( that is [its]_{61-st john ’s house} name , for [it]_{61-st john ’s house} was [a priory]_{4483-a priory} once ) ; but if [I]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} had [[my]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} workshop]_{4484-my workshop} [there]_4426-there , [I]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} might hope to see [you]_171-anne almost every day , if [you]_171-anne would let [me]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} . ”_{[1538-the girl from new zealand]} The first dinner‐bell rang , and [Anne]_171-anne , having hastily washed [her]_171-anne eyes and smoothed [her]_171-anne hair , ran down‐stairs , not knowing very well why the bell rang , or what it was all about . In [the sitting‐room]_{1537-the sitting‐room} [she]_171-anne found [the girl from [New Zealand]_{57-new zealand}]_{1538-the girl from new zealand} , [a little nervous creature , whom [she]_171-anne had nursed through a bad fever , in [her]_171-anne cold , absent way , and who had conceived a shy , intense passion for this beautiful strange creature , who seemed to [her]_171-anne an unapproachable being from [another world]_{1540-another world}]_{1539-a little nervous creature , whom she had nursed through a bad fever , in her cold , absent way , and who had conceived a shy , intense passion for this beautiful strange creature , who seemed to her an unapproachable being from another world} . “ [I]_171-anne am going away , ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne — [she]_171-anne felt [she]_171-anne must say it—“going away from [school]_1094-school — to [London]_4-london , next month . ”_[171-anne] [The thin , nervous , anæmic little girl]_{1541-the thin , nervous , anæmic little girl} turned ashy‐white . “ Oh , are [you]_171-anne really going ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne exclaimed faintly , for with [Anne]_171-anne disappeared all [the poor child]_{1542-the poor child} ’s sunshine and ideal from this dreary , worse than orphaned life , among [girls who had too many occupations and interests to care for [her]_{1541-the thin , nervous , anæmic little girl}]_{1543-girls who had too many occupations and interests to care for her} . “ Are [you]_171-anne really going , [Annie]_171-anne ? . . . Oh , [I]_171-anne am so sorry ! ”_[171-anne] “ Sorry ? ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne ; “ it is very nasty of [you]_171-anne to be sorry — [I]_171-anne am glad ; oh , so glad ! so glad ! ”_[171-anne] [The little New Zealander]_{1544-the little new zealander} had gone to the window , and was looking through [its]_1545-its panes at [the rainy street]_{1546-the rainy street} ; [she]_{1541-the thin , nervous , anæmic little girl} gave a little suppressed sob . [Anne]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne had committed a murder . [She]_171-anne ran to the window , and seized the struggling small creature in [her]_171-anne powerful arms , and knelt down before [her]_{1541-the thin , nervous , anæmic little girl} , clasping [her]_{1541-the thin , nervous , anæmic little girl} round the waist . “ Oh , forgive [me]_171-anne ! forgive [me]_171-anne ! ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne , as the consciousness of [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s love , which [she]_171-anne had never before perceived , came upon [her]_171-anne , together with the shame and remorse at [her]_171-anne heartlessness ; “ forgive [me]_{1548-the new zealander} , forgive — [I]_{1548-the new zealander} am [a brute]_{4487-a brute} — a beast — oh dear , oh dear , that happiness should make [me]_{1548-the new zealander} so wicked ! ”_{[1548-the new zealander]} [The New Zealander]_{1548-the new zealander} smiled and buried [her]_{1541-the thin , nervous , anæmic little girl} thin yellow face in the masses of [Anne]_171-anne ’s dark crisp hair . “ Will [you]_145-hamlin remember [me]_171-anne sometimes ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked ; “ [I]_171-anne love [you]_145-hamlin so much . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne kissed the poor , pale , tear‐stained cheeks . “ Oh yes , [I]_171-anne will always remember [you]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said . But [she]_171-anne was already thinking of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . DURING that last month at [school]_1094-school [Anne]_171-anne was indefatigable : in the face of the vague future which was so rapidly approaching , [she]_171-anne felt bound to clutch hold of the present , thinking that time which was employed in some way went less quickly . The fact was that [she]_171-anne was in a state of great excitement — half impatience and half terror ; [she]_171-anne wished the days to go by quicker , and [she]_171-anne wished them to go by slower ; [she]_171-anne was at once dragged wearisomely , and hurried along . At length it became a question no longer of weeks but of days . And then came another letter from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [He]_145-hamlin remembered the desire [she]_171-anne had once expressed to go down [the Rhine]_{54-the rhine} , to be on [the sea]_{4271-the sea} : [he]_145-hamlin proposed that [she]_171-anne should come through [Belgium]_62-belgium and cross from [Antwerp]_63-antwerp to [London]_4-london . “ [I]_145-hamlin am sure [you]_171-anne will enjoy it much more than the vile , vulgar , usual route , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin wrote . But [he]_145-hamlin did not tell [her]_171-anne that [he]_145-hamlin was unwilling [she]_171-anne should get any impressions of [England]_37-england before meeting [him]_145-hamlin , however slight [they]_1551-they might be ; that [he]_145-hamlin preferred to meet [her]_171-anne , in the evening , on [the Thames wharf]_{1552-the thames wharf} , to receiving [[his]_145-hamlin Amazon Queen]_{1553-his amazon queen} , [his]_145-hamlin mysterious and tragic Madonna , rather than in [the shed at [Victoria]_64-victoria or [Charing Cross]_{65-charing cross}]_{1554-the shed at victoria or charing cross} . [Anne]_171-anne did not care how [she]_171-anne was to go : [she]_171-anne was to go , to embark on a new life , to see [him]_145-hamlin , to be seen by [him]_145-hamlin . This thought , which had never struck [her]_171-anne before , began to haunt [her]_171-anne now : if [he]_145-hamlin should be disgusted with [her]_171-anne ? if [he]_145-hamlin should recognise that [he]_145-hamlin had been mistaken in [his]_145-hamlin choice ? The morning before [her]_171-anne departure , [Mrs Sireson]_{231-mrs sireson} handed [Anne]_171-anne a letter at breakfast . “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has sent [a girl]_{4122-a girl} to fetch [you]_171-anne , [dear]_4117-dear , ”_{[231-mrs sireson]} [she]_{231-mrs sireson} said . “ To fetch [me]_171-anne ? ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne , in astonishment . [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} opened the door—“Pray , come in , ”_{[231-mrs sireson]} [she]_{231-mrs sireson} said . [A young woman]_{581-a young woman} entered , whose immaculate smartness and cheerful alertness never would have let one guess that [she]_{581-a young woman} had just been travelling twenty‐four hours . “ This is [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_{[230-mrs simson]} said [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} . [The girl]_{583-the girl} curtsied , and waited for [Miss Brown]_171-anne to speak . But [Anne]_171-anne could not utter a word . “ [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s aunt]_{4490-mr hamlin ’s aunt} , engaged [me]_{586-the young woman} as [[your]_171-anne travelling‐maid]_{4491-your travelling‐maid} , [miss]_4492-miss , ”_{[586-the young woman]} said [the young woman]_{586-the young woman} , handing a note to [Anne]_171-anne . It was from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and ran briefly — “ [[MY]_145-hamlin DEAR]_{4237-my dear} [MISS BROWN,—My aunt]_{4494-miss brown,—my aunt} is unfortunately too delicate to admit of [my]_145-hamlin asking [her]_{4494-miss brown,—my aunt} to fetch [you]_171-anne from [Coblenz]_51-coblenz ; but [she]_{4494-miss brown,—my aunt} has engaged [the bearer]_{4495-the bearer} to be [[your]_171-anne maid]_{4496-your maid} , unless [you]_171-anne have some previous . choice at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz , in which case , please forgive [our]_4497-our interference . [She]_{4494-miss brown,—my aunt} is highly recommended , and seems [a good girl]_{3979-a good girl} , and accustomed to travel . [She]_{4494-miss brown,—my aunt} will telegraph [me]_145-hamlin how [you]_171-anne are from [Cologne]_66-cologne and [Antwerp]_63-antwerp . [I]_145-hamlin shall await [you]_171-anne Thursday evening on [the wharf]_{1376-the wharf} . Till then , [farewell.—Your sincere and impatient friend]_{4500-farewell.—your sincere and impatient friend} , “_[145-hamlin] [WALTER HAMLIN]_145-hamlin . ” For some unaccountable reason [Anne]_171-anne felt quite angry . [She]_171-anne did not require [any one]_{4101-any one} to travel with [her]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne did not want [a maid]_{4502-a maid} . [The very word maid]_{4503-the very word maid} seemed to bring up [her]_171-anne whole past . “_[145-hamlin] [You]_1558-you had better go and rest [yourself]_1558-you , ” [she]_0-i said to [the girl]_{583-the girl} coldly . “_[1558-you] How sweet and considerate ! ” said [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , reading [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s note . “_[1558-you] [I]_0-i do n’t want [a maid]_{4502-a maid} ! ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , angrily . “_[0-i] [A young lady of [your]_0-i age]_{1560-a young lady of your age} can not travel alone , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , ” answered [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , blandly . But [Anne]_171-anne felt miserable , [she]_171-anne knew not why , and hated [the maid]_{4505-the maid} . Presently [she]_171-anne went up to [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} to pack [her]_171-anne trunk . On opening the door [she]_171-anne discovered [the maid]_{4505-the maid} — [[her]_171-anne maid]_{694-her maid} — on [her]_{4505-the maid} knees , emptying the chest of drawers , and folding thing after thing . “_[0-i] Please do n’t do that ! ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , turning purple . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will do it [myself]_0-i , please . ” [The girl]_{583-the girl} stared politely , and answered in a subdued , respectfully chiding tone — “_[0-i] [I]_0-i was only packing [your]_{4237-my dear} trunk , [miss]_4492-miss . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will do it [myself]_0-i ! ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , excitedly . “_[0-i] As [you]_{4237-my dear} wish , [madam]_4383-madam , ” was [the maid]_{4505-the maid} ’s icy answer ; and [she]_{4505-the maid} rose . “_[4383-madam] Can [I]_0-i do nothing for [you]_{4237-my dear} ? ” [she]_0-i said , standing by the door , with a reproachful , prim little face . [Anne]_171-anne was ashamed . “_{[4237-my dear]} [You]_{4237-my dear} can help [me]_0-i if [you]_{4237-my dear} like , ” [she]_0-i answered , rather humbled ; and [she]_0-i began folding [her]_0-i things . But [the girl]_{583-the girl} was much quicker than [she]_171-anne , and [Anne]_171-anne soon remained with nothing to do , looking on vacantly . [She]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne would give worlds to get [the girl]_{583-the girl} away ; [she]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne ought to say to [her]_{583-the girl} , “_{[4237-my dear]} Do n’t do that for [me]_0-i ; [I]_0-i am not [a real lady]_{1564-a real lady} ; [I]_0-i am no better than [you]_{4237-my dear} ; [I]_0-i am [a servant]_{4125-a servant} , [a maid]_{4502-a maid} , [myself]_0-i , ” — and as if every moment of silence were a kind of deceit . At last [she]_171-anne could bear it no longer — “_[0-i] Please , ” [she]_171-anne cried , “_{[4237-my dear]} let [me]_0-i pack [my]_0-i things [myself]_0-i ; [I]_0-i have always packed them [myself]_0-i ; [I]_0-i should be so glad if [you]_{4237-my dear} would let [me]_0-i . ” [The girl]_{583-the girl} rose and retired . “_{[4237-my dear]} As [you]_{4237-my dear} like , [miss]_4492-miss , ” [she]_{583-the girl} replied , fixing [her]_{583-the girl} eyes on [Anne]_171-anne ’s strange excited face . “_[4492-miss] [She]_1568-she knows [I]_0-i am only [a servant like [herself]_1568-she]_{1569-a servant like herself} , and [she]_1568-she thinks [me]_0-i proud and ungrateful , ” thought [Anne]_171-anne . The next evening , among the lamentations of [[Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} ’s establishment]_{1430-mrs simson ’s establishment} , [Anne Brown]_171-anne set off for [Cologne]_66-cologne . This first short scrap of journey moved [her]_171-anne very much : when [the train]_{1061-the train} puffed out of [the station]_{1358-the station} , and [the familiar faces]_{4517-the familiar faces} were hidden by [outhouses]_{4518-outhouses} and [locomotives]_{4519-locomotives} , the sense of embarking on [unknown waters]_{4520-unknown waters} rushed upon [Anne]_171-anne ; and when , that evening , [[her]_171-anne maid]_{694-her maid} bade [her]_171-anne good night at [the hotel at [Cologne]_66-cologne]_{4522-the hotel at cologne} , offering to brush [her]_171-anne hair and help [her]_171-anne to undress , [she]_171-anne was seized with intolerable homesickness for [the school,—the little room [she]_171-anne had just left,—and [she]_171-anne would have implored [any one]_{4101-any one} to take [her]_171-anne back]_{4523-the school,—the little room she had just left,—and she would have implored any one to take her back} . But the next days [she]_171-anne felt quite different : the excitement of novelty kept [her]_171-anne up , and almost made it seem as if all these new things were quite habitual ; for there is nothing stranger than the way in which excitement settles [one]_620-one in novel positions , and familiarises one with the unfamiliar . Seeing a lot of sights on the way , and knowing that a lot more remained to be seen , it was as if there were nothing beyond these three or four days — as if the journey would have no end ; that an end there must be , and what that end meant seemed a thing impossible to realise . [She]_171-anne scarcely began to realise it when [the ship]_{1466-the ship} began slowly to move from [the wharf]_{1376-the wharf} at [Antwerp]_63-antwerp ; when [she]_171-anne walked up and down [the deserted and darkened deck]_{4528-the deserted and darkened deck} watching [the widening river]_{4529-the widening river} under the clear blue spring night , lit only by a ripple of moonlight , widening mysteriously out of sight , bounded only by the shore‐lights , with here or there the white or blue or red light of [some ship]_{4530-some ship} , and its long curl of smoke , making [you]_4531-you suddenly conscious that close by was another huge moving thing , more human creatures in this solitude,—till at last all was mere moonlight‐permeated mist of sky and [sea]_4532-sea . And only as the next day — as [the boat]_{4533-the boat} cut slowly through [the hazy , calm sea]_{4534-the hazy , calm sea} — was drawing to its close , did [Anne]_171-anne begin to feel at all excited . At first , as [she]_171-anne sat on [deck]_4535-deck , the water , the smoke , the thrill of [the boat]_{4533-the boat} , [the people walking np and down]_{4537-the people walking np and down} , [the children wandering about among the piles of rope]_{4538-the children wandering about among the piles of rope} , and leaning over [the ship]_{1466-the ship} ’s sides — all these things seemed the only reality . But later , as [they]_{4537-the people walking np and down} got higher up in [the Thames]_{67-the thames} , and [the unwonted English]_{68-the unwonted english} sunshine became dimmer , a strange excitement arose in [Anne]_171-anne — an excitement more physical than mental , which , with every movement of [the boat]_{4533-the boat} , made [her]_171-anne heart beat faster and faster , till it seemed as if it must burst , and a lot of smaller hearts to start up and throb all over [her]_171-anne body , tighter and tighter , till [she]_171-anne had to press [her]_171-anne hand to [her]_171-anne chest , and sit down gasping on a bench . The afternoon was drawing to a close , and [the river]_{4465-the river} had narrowed ; all around were rows of wharves and groups of [ships]_4542-ships ; [the men]_{4543-the men} began to tug at the ropes . [They]_{4537-the people walking np and down} were in [the great city]_{4544-the great city} . The light grew fainter , and the starlight mingled with the dull smoke‐grey of [London]_4-london ; all about were the sad grey outlines of [the old houses]_{4545-the old houses} on [the wharves]_{4546-the wharves} , the water grey and the sky also , with only a faint storm‐red where the sun had set . The rigging , interwoven against the sky , was grey also ; the brownish sail of [some nearer boat]_{4547-some nearer boat} , the dull red sides of [some steamer hard by]_{4548-some steamer hard by} , the only colour . [The ship]_{1466-the ship} began to slacken speed and to turn , great puffs and pants of the engine running through its fibres ; [the sailors]_{4550-the sailors} began to halloo , [the people]_{871-the people} around to collect [their]_{871-the people} luggage : [they]_{871-the people} were getting alongside of [the wharf]_{1376-the wharf} . [Anne]_171-anne felt [the maid]_{4505-the maid} throw a shawl round [her]_171-anne ; heard [her]_{4505-the maid} voice , as if from a great distance , saying , “_[1568-she] There ’s [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [miss]_4492-miss ; ” felt [herself]_171-anne walking along as if in a dream ; and as if in a dream [a figure]_{4554-a figure} come up and take [her]_171-anne hand , and slip [her]_171-anne arm through [his]_145-hamlin , and [she]_171-anne knew [herself]_171-anne to be standing on [the wharf]_{1376-the wharf} , in the twilight , the breeze blowing in [her]_171-anne face , all [the people]_{871-the people} jostling and shouting around [her]_171-anne . Then a voice said—“I_[145-hamlin] fear [you]_4492-miss must be very tired , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ” It was at once so familiar and so strange that it made [her]_171-anne start ; the dream seemed dispelled . [She]_171-anne was in reality , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was really by [her]_171-anne side . IT is sad to think how little even [the most fervently loving among [us]_4558-we]_{4557-the most fervently loving among us} are able to reproduce , to keep within recollection , the reality of [the absent beloved]_{4559-the absent beloved} ; certain as [we]_4558-we seem to be , living as appears the phantom which [we]_4558-we have cherished , [we]_4558-we yet always find , on the day of meeting , that [the loved person]_{4560-the loved person} is different from the simulacrum which [we]_4558-we have carried in [our]_4558-we hearts . As [Anne Brown]_171-anne sat in [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} which was carrying [her]_171-anne to [[her]_171-anne new home]_{4562-her new home} , the feeling which was strongest in [her]_171-anne was , not joy to see [Hamlin]_145-hamlin again , nor fear at entering on this new phase of existence , but a recurring shock of surprise at the voice which was speaking to [her]_171-anne , the voice which [she]_171-anne now recognised as that of [the real Hamlin]_{4563-the real hamlin} , but which was so undefinably different from the voice which had haunted [her]_171-anne throughout those months of absence . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was seated by [her]_171-anne side , [the maid]_{4505-the maid} opposite . [The carriage]_{810-the carriage} drove quickly through a network of [dark streets]_{4566-dark streets} , and then , on , on , along [miles of embankment]_{4567-miles of embankment} . It was a beautiful spring night , and the mists and fogs which hung over [river]_4568-river and [town]_821-town were soaked with moonlight , turned into a pale‐blue luminous haze , starred with the yellow specks of gas , broken into , here and there , by the yellow sheen from some open hall‐door or lit windows of [a party‐giving house]_{4570-a party‐giving house} : out of the faint blueness emerged the unsubstantial outlines of things — bushes , and overhanging tree‐branches , and [distant spectral towers]_{4571-distant spectral towers} and belfries . “_[171-anne] [You]_1571-you must be very tired , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[1571-you] Oh no , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , that repeated revelation of the real voice still startling [her]_171-anne — “_[1571-you] not at all . ” [He]_145-hamlin asked [her]_171-anne how [she]_171-anne had left those at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz , and about [her]_171-anne journey ; [she]_171-anne had to tell [him]_145-hamlin about every picture and church [she]_171-anne had seen at [Cologne]_66-cologne , [Brussels]_69-brussels , [Bruges]_70-bruges , and [Antwerp]_63-antwerp . It is strange how [people whose hearts have seemed full to bursting]_{4572-people whose hearts have seemed full to bursting} with things [they]_{4572-people whose hearts have seemed full to bursting} have so long been waiting to say , will talk , when [they]_{4572-people whose hearts have seemed full to bursting} meet again , like [persons introduced for the first time at a dinner‐party]_{4573-persons introduced for the first time at a dinner‐party} . On [they]_{4572-people whose hearts have seemed full to bursting} rolled , and on , through the pale moonlight mist by [the river]_{4465-the river} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i hope , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , when [they]_{4572-people whose hearts have seemed full to bursting} had done discussing [Van Eyck]_{244-van eyck} , and [Rubens]_245-rubens , and [Memling—“I]_{246-memling—“i[0-i]} hope [you]_1572-you will like [the house]_{509-the house} and the way [I]_0-i have had [it]_{509-the house} arranged ; and , ” [he]_145-hamlin added , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i hope [you]_1572-you will like [[my]_0-i aunt]_{4294-my aunt} . [She]_{4294-my aunt} is rather misanthropic , but it is only on the surface . ” [[His]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} ! [Anne]_171-anne had forgotten all about [her]_{1527-his aunt} ; and [her]_171-anne heart sank within [her]_171-anne as [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} at last drew up in front of some garden railings . [The house]_{509-the house} door was thrown open , and a stream of yellow light flooded the strip of [garden]_4578-garden and the railings . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin gave [Anne]_171-anne [his]_145-hamlin arm ; [the maid]_{4505-the maid} followed . [A woman‐servant]_{4580-a woman‐servant} was holding the door open , and raising a lamp above [her]_{4580-a woman‐servant} . [Anne]_171-anne bent [her]_171-anne head , feeling that [she]_171-anne was being scrutinised . [She]_171-anne walked speechless , leaning on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s arm , and those steps seemed to [her]_171-anne endless . It was all very strange and wonderful . [Her]_171-anne step was muffled in thick , dark carpets ; all about , the walls of [the narrow passage]_{4581-the narrow passage} were covered with tapestries , and here and there came a gleam of brass or a sheen of dim mirror under the subdued light of some sort of Eastern lamp , which hung , with yellow sheen of metal discs and tassels , from the ceiling . Thus up the narrow carpeted and tapestried stairs , and into [a large dim room]_{4582-a large dim room} , with strange‐looking things all about . Some red embers sent a crimson flicker over the carpet ; by the tall fireplace was a table with a shaded lamp , and at it was seated [a tall , slender woman]_{4583-a tall , slender woman} , with the figure of [a young girl]_{4584-a young girl} , but whose face , when [Anne]_171-anne saw it , was parched and hollowed out , and surrounded by grey hair . “_{[4294-my aunt]} This is [Miss Brown]_171-anne , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [The old lady]_{1153-the old lady} rose , advanced , and kissed [Anne]_171-anne frigidly on both cheeks . “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i am glad to see [you]_1575-you , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , ” [she]_0-i said , in a tone which was neither cold nor insincere , but simply and utterly indifferent . [Anne]_171-anne sat down . There was a moment ’s silence , and [she]_171-anne felt [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} ’s eyes upon [her]_171-anne , and felt that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was looking at [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} , as much as to say , “_[1575-you] Well , what do [you]_0-i think of [her]_171-anne ? ” and [she]_171-anne shrank into [herself]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [You]_1575-you have had a bad passage , doubtless , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} after a moment , vaguely and dreamily . “_[1575-you] Oh no , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , faintly , “_[1575-you] not at all bad , thank [you]_1575-you . ” “_[1575-you] So much the better , ” went on [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} , absently . “_[1575-you] Ring for some tea , [Walter]_145-hamlin . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin rang . In a moment tea‐things were brought . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin handed a cup to [Anne]_171-anne , and offered [her]_171-anne some cake . “_[145-hamlin] It is a long drive , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} — “_[1575-you] a long drive — all the way from [Charing Cross]_{65-charing cross} . ” “_[171-anne] [Miss Brown]_171-anne came by [the Antwerp boat]_{1577-the antwerp boat} — [St Catherine ’s Wharf]_{71-st catherine ’s wharf} — in [the City]_{1578-the city} , [aunt]_1579-aunt , ” corrected [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[1579-aunt] Ah , yes , to be sure — perhaps [she]_171-anne would like some more milk in [her]_171-anne tea . There is always such a delay at [Charing Cross]_{65-charing cross} , is n’t there , [Walter]_145-hamlin ? ” But while [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s mind and words seemed to ramble vaguely about , [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} eyes were fixed upon [Anne]_171-anne — large , melancholy dark eyes . “_[145-hamlin] [You]_145-hamlin are glad to be back in [London]_4-london , are n’t [you]_145-hamlin ? ” [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} asked . “_[145-hamlin] This is the first time [I]_0-i am in [England]_37-england , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , shyly ; all [this dim room]_{4589-this dim room} , with [its]_{4589-this dim room} vague sense of beautiful things all round , [this absent‐minded lady]_{4590-this absent‐minded lady} , all seemed to harmonise with [her]_{4590-this absent‐minded lady} own dreamlike sensations . “_[145-hamlin] [Miss Brown]_171-anne was born in [Italy]_1-italy , ” explained [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , probably for the hundredth time . “_[145-hamlin] Oh yes , of course ; how stupid [I]_0-i am ! And , [Walter]_145-hamlin , there are some letters for [you]_145-hamlin on the hall table , and [Mr Chough]_248-chough came while [you]_145-hamlin were out , and [a man from — what ’s [his]_{1580-a man from — what ’s his name} name]_{1580-a man from — what ’s his name} — [the upholsterer who writes poetry]_{1581-the upholsterer who writes poetry} . ” “_{[1580-a man from — what ’s his name]} All right , ” interrupted [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_{[1580-a man from — what ’s his name]} Wo n’t [you]_145-hamlin have another cup , [Margaret]_249-marjory ? ” asked [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_{[249-marjory]} [Her]_171-anne name is [Anne]_171-anne , [auntie]_1582-auntie — ” “_{[1582-auntie]} Of course — [I]_0-i do n’t know whether [you]_145-hamlin take sugar in [your]_145-hamlin tea or not , [Rachel]_250-rachel . ” Thus [they]_4591-they went on for another half‐hour ; [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} calling [Anne]_171-anne by one wrong name after another , alluding to things which [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} could not possibly know anything about , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin trying to set matters right and induce [Anne]_171-anne to talk . “_[250-rachel] It is getting late , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , “_[250-rachel] and [I]_0-i fear [Miss Brown]_171-anne must be tired after [her]_171-anne long journey . [I]_0-i think [you]_145-hamlin had better not keep [her]_171-anne up any longer , [aunt]_1579-aunt . ” “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i am not tired , ” protested [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i will be tired to‐morrow , ” said [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} . “_[0-i] Yes , ” added [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[0-i] and [I]_0-i must go . Good‐bye , [aunt]_1579-aunt . Good night , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; [I]_0-i hope [you]_145-hamlin will have good dreams to welcome [you]_145-hamlin home to [England]_37-england . [I]_0-i shall come in for lunch to‐morrow , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} . Good night . Good night , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” and [he]_145-hamlin kissed [her]_1579-aunt hand . “_[171-anne] Good night , buon riposo e sogni felici . ” The few words of Italian almost brought the tears to [Anne]_171-anne ’s eyes ; [she]_171-anne felt so strange [here]_3884-here , so far from everything — and yet what had [she]_171-anne left behind ? nothing , and [no one]_{3899-no one} who loved [her]_171-anne , except [that little girl from [New Zealand]_{57-new zealand}]_{4595-that little girl from new zealand} . [She]_171-anne felt terribly alone in [the world]_{496-the world} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had evidently not trusted to [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} to send [Anne]_171-anne to bed , for [the maid]_{4505-the maid} came in uncalled , and asked whether [Miss Brown]_171-anne would not like to go up to [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} . “_[171-anne] Of course , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ; and taking a heavy old‐fashioned silver candlestick , [she]_{4505-the maid} led [Anne]_171-anne to [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} . [The poor girl]_{1188-the poor girl} was too weary and dazed to see what it was like . [She]_{1188-the poor girl} sank on to a chair , and passively let [the maid]_{4505-the maid} take off [her]_{4505-the maid} hat and cloak . “_[171-anne] Shall [I]_0-i undress [you]_0-i , [ma’am]_1585-ma’am ? ” [she]_0-i asked . [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head . “_[0-i] No , thanks . ” [The girl]_{583-the girl} retired , but [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} remained standing by [Anne]_171-anne ’s side , looking at the reflection in the glass of [her]_171-anne pale , sad , tired face . “_[0-i] Undo [your]_0-i hair , [Eliza]_{169-monna lisa} dear , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . [Anne]_171-anne mechanically pulled out the hair‐pins , and the masses of iron‐black crisp hair fell over [her]_171-anne shoulders . [The old lady]_{1153-the old lady} looked at [her]_171-anne for a moment . “_{[169-monna lisa]} [You]_0-i are [a beautiful girl]_{1586-a beautiful girl} , [Anne]_171-anne , ” [she]_{1153-the old lady} said , at last hitting the right name , “_[171-anne] and , ” [she]_{1153-the old lady} added , with a curious compassionate look , as [she]_{1153-the old lady} kissed [the girl]_{583-the girl} ’s forehead , “_{[169-monna lisa]} are [you]_0-i really in love with [Watty]_178-watty ? ” [Anne]_171-anne did not answer ; but [she]_171-anne felt [herself]_171-anne redden . “_[0-i] Marriage without love is a terrible thing , ” said [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} , “_[0-i] and in so far love is a mitigation of evil ; but at the best it is only delusion . [People]_577-people must marry , but it is the misfortune of [their]_577-people lives . Good night , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} . ” The words went on in [Anne]_171-anne ’s head , but [she]_171-anne was too worn out to understand them . [She]_171-anne soon fell asleep , and dreamed that [Melton Perry]_146-perry had painted a picture , and that in a storm [the ship ’s crew]_{4607-the ship ’s crew} said it must be used as [a raft]_{4608-a raft} ; and somehow it all took place at [Florence]_6-florence , in [the large pond in [the Boboli Gardens]_{1293-the boboli gardens}]_{4609-the large pond in the boboli gardens} . [ANNE BROWN]_171-anne awoke with a vague sense of gladness , but no very clear notion of where [she]_171-anne was . Then it came upon [her]_171-anne that this was [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s house]_{4611-hamlin ’s house} , that [she]_171-anne would actually see [him]_145-hamlin again in a few hours ; for it was as if [she]_171-anne had not seen [him]_145-hamlin at all the previous evening . The sun was streaming through the blinds , filling [the room]_{574-the room} with a yellowish light ; from without came a sound of leaves , of twittering birds , and the plash of the steamer‐paddles in [the river]_{4465-the river} . [Anne]_171-anne looked round [her]_171-anne and wondered . [She]_171-anne had never seen such [a room as this]_{4614-a room as this} in [her]_171-anne life : the wails were all panelled white , except where the panelling was interrupted by expanses of pale‐yellow chintz ; the furniture also was of old‐fashioned chintz ; the mirror was like what [she]_171-anne had seen in the illustrations to an old copy of ‘ [Sir Charles Grandison]_{251-sir charles grandison} ’ which had belonged to [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} ; the tapered chairs and tables to match . There were blue‐and‐white jars and pots all about , and old‐fashioned china things on the dressing‐table : except for the fac‐similes of drawings by [Mantegna]_252-mantegna and [Botticelli]_{253-botticelli} , and the coloured copies of famous Italian pictures which dotted the walls , [the room]_{574-the room} might have been untouched since the days of the first Georges . [She]_171-anne remembered that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had told [her]_171-anne that [the house]_{509-the house} was [an old one]_{4617-an old one} ; but [she]_171-anne could not understand how everything came to look so very spick and span and new . [She]_171-anne got up and went to the window . Below , in [the little garden]_{4618-the little garden} , was a lilac‐tree bursting into flower , and a yellow laburnum . [[A milkman]_{4619-a milkman} ’s cart]_{4620-a milkman ’s cart} was drawn up before the door . In front were the trees , in tender leaf , and the wooden parapet of [the river‐walk]_{4621-the river‐walk} ; then [the Thames]_{67-the thames} , still wide , but so different from what [she]_171-anne had seen it the previous evening : a clear grey stream reflecting green banks and cloudy blue sky , with here and there [a barge or boat]_{4622-a barge or boat} moored by [the shore]_{4623-the shore} . The sky was blue , but covered with moist clouds , and it seemed to [Anne]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne could almost see where it arose on the horizon , so low did it seem . There was a scent of recent rain in the air , a shimmer of moisture on the leaves and grass . Was this [[London]_4-london , which [she]_171-anne had always fancied so noisy , and grimy , and vulgarly new]_{4624-london , which she had always fancied so noisy , and grimy , and vulgarly new} ? [Anne]_171-anne was already half dressed ; but [she]_171-anne spent some time wondering which of [her]_171-anne frocks [she]_171-anne should put on : they had been made expressly for [London]_4-london , and greatly admired by [the girls at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz]_{4625-the girls at coblenz} , but now one looked more absurd and frumpish than the other . At last [she]_171-anne put on a sort of greyish‐blue tweed , such as were then worn on [the Continent]_{72-the continent} , and having looked at [herself]_171-anne rather anxiously in the glass , [she]_171-anne opened [her]_171-anne door and hesitatingly went out into [the passage]_{572-the passage} . All was perfectly quiet as [she]_171-anne went down [the carpeted stairs]_{4627-the carpeted stairs} , wondering at the tapestry and brazen wrought shields and plaster casts and curious weapons which covered [its]_4-london walls ; [she]_171-anne could hear only the ticking of the old clock , which stood in its tall inlaid case in [the hall]_{550-the hall} . After the bustle of [girls]_1352-girls and [servants]_561-servants at [the Coblenz school]_{4631-the coblenz school} , and the hundred and one noises of screeching well‐pulleys , whirring buckets , whistling starlings , [singing and chattering servants]_{4632-singing and chattering servants} , clattering crockery , which greet the early riser in [an Italian house,—this]_{4633-an italian house,—this} silence seemed to [her]_171-anne almost eerie , and [she]_171-anne wandered about over the noiseless floors like [the knight in [the palace of the sleeping beauty]_{4635-the palace of the sleeping beauty}]_{4634-the knight in the palace of the sleeping beauty} . [She]_171-anne found [her]_171-anne way into [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} , where [she]_171-anne had been received the previous evening ; there was another next to [it]_{4636-the drawing‐room} , and [a kind of little library beyond]_{4637-a kind of little library beyond} . [It]_{4637-a kind of little library beyond} was , indeed , [an enchanted palace]_{4638-an enchanted palace} ; the walls were all hung with pictures and drawings , and pieces of precious embroidery , and burnished oriental plates , and the floors spread with oriental carpets and matting , which gave out a faint , drowsy , sweet scent . The curious furniture was covered with old brocade and embroidery , and in all corners , on brackets and tables and in cabinets , were all manner of wonderful glass and china , and strange ivory and inlaid Japanese toys . There were flowers , also , about everywhere , and palms in the windows . In [the library]_{4639-the library} were more books than [Anne]_171-anne had almost ever seen ; and in [the chief drawing‐room]_{4640-the chief drawing‐room} a beautiful grand piano , not made like those of [our]_4641-our days , but with slight straight legs and a yellow case painted with faded‐looking flowers . [Anne]_171-anne looked at everything with astonishment and awe : it was like [the rooms in [Walter Crane]_{254-walter crane} ’s fairy books , with their inlaid chests and brocade couches]_{4642-the rooms in walter crane ’s fairy books , with their inlaid chests and brocade couches} , and majolica vases full of peacocks ’ feathers . It took [her]_171-anne a long time to take it all in . [She]_171-anne stole to the piano , opened it gently , and played the accompaniment of a song of Carissimi ’s , which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was fond of , but inaudibly , without letting [her]_171-anne fingers press down the keys . Then [she]_171-anne looked at everything once more . [She]_171-anne was beginning to get familiarised with the pictures on the wall ; the pale , delicate bits of landscape ; the deep‐coloured pictures of [ladies in wonderful jewel‐like robes , with mysterious landscapes behind them]_{4643-ladies in wonderful jewel‐like robes , with mysterious landscapes behind them} ; the drawings of strange , beautiful , emaciated , cruel‐looking creatures , [men]_4644-men or [women , with wicked lips and combed‐out locks,—all]_{4645-women , with wicked lips and combed‐out locks,—all} these things , which were like so many points of interrogation — when the door opened and [the maid]_{4505-the maid} appeared . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have been looking for [you]_1589-you everywhere , [miss]_4492-miss , ” [she]_0-i said . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i thought , as [you]_1589-you did n’t answer when [I]_0-i knocked , that [you]_1589-you must still be asleep , so [I]_0-i carried [your]_1589-you tea down again . [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} is going to have breakfast now , and says , would [you]_1589-you mind having it in [[her]_{243-mrs macgregor} room]_{1374-her room} with [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} , [miss]_4492-miss , as [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} never goes down till lunch ? ” [Anne]_171-anne followed [the servant]_{4647-the servant} to [[Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s room]_{4648-mrs macgregor ’s room} , where [she]_171-anne found [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} in [her]_{1153-the old lady} dressing‐gown , before a table spread with eighteenth‐century china , or what to [Anne]_171-anne seemed such . “_{[243-mrs macgregor]} What an hour [you]_1589-you do get up at , [Charlotte]_{255-charlotte} ! ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , kissing [Anne]_171-anne on both cheeks . “_{[255-charlotte]} [We]_1593-we never think of getting up [here]_3884-here before half‐past nine . [Walter]_145-hamlin never comes in till luncheon‐time , because [he]_145-hamlin has so far to come , and is up so late every night . Turn round ; let [me]_0-i see what [you]_1589-you look like this morning . ” And [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} made [Anne]_171-anne turn round slowly . [She]_{243-mrs macgregor} looked at [her]_171-anne approvingly . “_[0-i] [You]_1589-you ’re [a handsome girl]_{1595-a handsome girl} , certainly , ” [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} said ; “_{[1595-a handsome girl]} not the style that used to be admired in [my]_0-i time,”—and [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} smiled with the faint smile of [an old belle,—“girls]_{4650-an old belle,—“girls[1595-a handsome girl]} had to be slight , and fair , and with little features then . But [you]_1589-you ’re just what [they]_1596-they like now . [I]_0-i ’m thankful at least that [Walter]_145-hamlin has not brought home a bag of bones like the other beauties of [his]_145-hamlin set . Loveliness in decay , that ’s what [I]_0-i call [their]_1596-they style ; but [you]_1589-you look [a good flesh‐and‐blood girl]_{1597-a good flesh‐and‐blood girl} . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not know what to answer ; [she]_171-anne poured [herself]_171-anne out a cup of tea in silence , and vaguely ate some bread and butter . [The old lady]_{1153-the old lady} was good‐natured , garrulous , flighty ; but yet , beneath the shiftiness of [her]_{1153-the old lady} exterior , there seemed to be something real , something sad and bitter , when [you]_1589-you looked at [her]_{1153-the old lady} thin drawn mouth and melancholy eyes . “_{[1597-a good flesh‐and‐blood girl]} That ’s a pretty frock [you]_1589-you have on , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , ” [she]_0-i pursued , “_{[1597-a good flesh‐and‐blood girl]} and [I]_0-i think it very becoming . But [you]_1589-you ’ll see that [Watty]_178-watty wo n’t like it . [He]_178-watty ’s quite the — what do [you]_1589-you call it?—medieval sort of thing,—no stays , and no petticoats , and slashings , and tags and boot‐laces in the sleeves , and a yard of [draggled train]_{1599-draggled train} — that sort of thing . Oh , [you]_1589-you ’ll find [it]_1600-it [a queer world]_{1601-a queer world} , the world of [[Watty]_178-watty ’s friends]_{1602-watty ’s friends} . Do [you]_1589-you ever see ‘ Punch ’ ? That ’s the sort of thing . [They]_1603-they ’re [all great beauties]_{1604-all great beauties} and [great painters]_{1605-great painters} and [great poets]_{1606-great poets} , [every man and woman of [them]_1603-they]_{1607-every man and woman of them} . Wait till [you]_1589-you see [little Chough]_248-chough and [young Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} ( [I]_0-i forget [his]_{256-posthlethwaite} real name ) . Ah , well , it ’s perhaps better , after all , this kind of fooling , and masquerading , and writing verses about things [people]_577-people would horsewhip [a man]_{503-a man} for saying in prose ; it ’s perhaps better , after all , for [Watty]_178-watty , than the sort of life which [we]_1610-we led when [he]_178-watty was young”—and [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} became suddenly very silent . After breakfast [Anne]_171-anne was free until luncheon‐time , as [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} proceeded to lie down on [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} sofa and read [Leigh Hunt]_{257-leigh hunt} ’s ‘ Religion of the Heart , ’ or [Fox]_258-fox ’s ‘ Religious Ideas , ’ which [Anne]_171-anne saw lying on [her]_171-anne table . [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s aunt]_{4652-hamlin ’s aunt} had evidently been [an esprit fort]_{4653-an esprit fort} in [her]_{4652-hamlin ’s aunt} youth , and possessed in [[her]_{4652-hamlin ’s aunt} bedroom]_{4654-her bedroom} a whole library of what were once deemed [literary firebrands]_{4655-literary firebrands} , but might nowadays be described as mild , old‐fashioned free‐thinking literature . [Anne]_171-anne roamed about [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} once more , looking again and again at the pictures , and opening the books , as [people]_577-people do in [a strange house]_{4658-a strange house} , before [they]_577-people can settle down . [She]_171-anne timidly also opened the piano , but shut it again after a minute . Then [she]_171-anne took a volume of [Jean Paul]_{259-jean paul} out of a shelf , and carried it up into [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} . Finding it too dull to read , and with an irritating sense that [she]_171-anne ought to be doing something definite , [she]_171-anne wrote a letter to [Mrs Simson]_{230-mrs simson} , and one to [the little New Zealander]_{1544-the little new zealander} . [She]_171-anne felt so much like a fish out of water that [Coblenz]_51-coblenz seemed more than [[her]_171-anne birthplace]_{4661-her birthplace} , and [the people]_{871-the people} [there]_4426-there more than [mother]_4664-mother and [sisters]_999-sisters . At last [she]_171-anne heard one o’clock strike , and soon after there came a knock at [the house‐door]_{4666-the house‐door} , and running to the window [she]_171-anne saw [Hamlin]_145-hamlin standing on the doorstep . [She]_171-anne withdrew [her]_171-anne head quickly , and went down to meet [him]_145-hamlin . [He]_145-hamlin was more respectful than ever,—asked [her]_171-anne how [she]_171-anne had slept , and what [she]_171-anne thought of [the house]_{509-the house} . “_[178-watty] It ’s lovely , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , “_[178-watty] and it is so nice having everything old about one . ” “_[178-watty] Everything old ? ” asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[178-watty] Yes ; all the hangings , and chairs , and tables , and mirrors , are of the time of the building of [the house]_{509-the house} , are n’t they ? ” “_[1612-they] Oh goodness , no , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , sadly ; “_[1612-they] [I]_0-i only wish [they]_1612-they were . [They]_1612-they ’re bran‐new , every stick of [them]_1612-they . [Everybody]_{1613-everybody} has [them]_1612-they now ; [nobody]_1614-nobody makes anything except imitation old‐world things . ” “_{[1614-nobody]} Why do n’t [they]_1612-they try and make something good and new — something out of [their]_1612-they own heads , as [the old workmen]_{1615-the old workmen} did ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , looking with wonder upon these new things which seemed so old . “_[1612-they] There is nothing to nourish art nowadays , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , seating [himself]_145-hamlin opposite [her]_171-anne and looking [her]_171-anne full in the face as [he]_145-hamlin used to do long ago at [the studio in [Florence]_6-florence]_{4668-the studio in florence} . “_[1612-they] Art ca n’t live where life is trivial and aimless and hideous . [We]_1616-we can only pick up the broken fragments of the past and blunderingly set them together . ” “_[1616-we] But why should the life of to‐day be trivial and aimless and hideous ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , a vague remembrance of things which [she]_171-anne had heard [[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} say years ago about progress and modern achievements returning to [her]_171-anne mind as it had never done when , in the letters which [he]_145-hamlin used to write to [her]_171-anne at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had said before what [he]_145-hamlin was saying now . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t know why it should be , ” replied [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[0-i] but so it is . ” “_[1616-we] Ca n’t [we]_1616-we prevent it ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , scarcely thinking of what [she]_171-anne was saying ; conscious only that [she]_171-anne was really once more in [his]_145-hamlin presence . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin shook [his]_145-hamlin head sadly . “_[1616-we] Why can not [we]_1616-we revive those ? ” [he]_145-hamlin said , pointing to a bunch of delicate pale‐pink roses , which drooped withered in a Venetian glass . “_[1616-we] What is dead is dead . The only thing that remains for [[us]_1616-we late comers]_{1617-us late comers} to do is to pick up the faded petals and keep them , discoloured as they are , to scent [our]_1616-we lives . [The world]_{496-the world} is getting uglier and uglier outside [us]_1616-we ; [we]_1616-we must , out of the materials bequeathed to [us]_1616-we by [former generations]_{1619-former generations} , and with the help of [our]_1616-we own fancy , build for [ourselves]_1616-we a little world within [the world]_{496-the world} , a world of beauty , where [we]_1616-we may live with [[our]_1616-we friends]_{1621-our friends} and keep alive whatever small sense of beauty and nobility still remains to [us]_1616-we , that it may not get utterly lost , and [those who come after [us]_1616-we]_{1622-those who come after us} may not be in a wilderness of sordid sights and sordid feelings . [Ours]_1616-we is not the mission of [the poets]_{1623-the poets} and [artists of former days]_{1624-artists of former days} ; it is humbler , sadder , but equally necessary . ” “_[1625-you] Oh , but [you]_1625-you must not say that ! ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_[1625-you] What [you]_1625-you do will last , do n’t [you]_1625-you know , like the things which [people]_577-people were able to do formerly . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin shook [his]_145-hamlin head , and remained for some time with [his]_145-hamlin beautiful greenish‐blue eyes fixed on [Anne]_171-anne , as [she]_171-anne sat twisting and untwisting the fringe on the arm of [her]_171-anne chair . “_[1625-you] There is one consolation , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , rising from [his]_145-hamlin chair and leaning against the chimney‐piece , all covered with Japanese cups and curious nick‐nacks , and not taking [his]_145-hamlin eyes off [her]_171-anne , “_[171-anne] and that is , that even now , Nature , which is so barren of [painters]_521-painters and [poets]_1628-poets , can produce creatures as wonderful as those who inspired [the painters and poets of former times]_{1629-the painters and poets of former times} — a consolation , and at the same time a source of despair . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin spoke these lover‐like words in a tone so cold , so sad , that [Anne]_171-anne did not at first understand to whom [he]_145-hamlin was alluding , and looked up rather in interrogation than in embarrassment . A bell rang . “_[1631-you] There ’s lunch , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[1631-you] [We]_1630-we must finish [our]_1630-we discussion afterwards . ” “_[1631-you] WON’T [you]_1631-you take [her]_171-anne out for a drive , [Walter]_145-hamlin ? ” asked [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , after lunch . “_[145-hamlin] [She]_171-anne must be curious to see something of [London]_4-london . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked at [Anne]_171-anne , as much as to say , “_[171-anne] Do [you]_171-anne really wish to go ? ” “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i am sure [Miss Brown]_171-anne is too tired from [her]_171-anne journey , [aunt]_1579-aunt , ” [he]_145-hamlin said ; “_[1579-aunt] and what is there to take [her]_171-anne to see in [this beastly city]_{1633-this beastly city} ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i thought [we]_1630-we might have a brougham and take [her]_171-anne to see [a few of [[your]_1631-you friends]_{1635-your friends}]_{1634-a few of your friends} , [Walter]_145-hamlin , ” suggested [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . [Poor Anne]_{260-poor anne} felt a sort of horror go all down [her]_{260-poor anne} . “_[145-hamlin] Oh , please do n’t ! ” [she]_{260-poor anne} cried—“not_[145-hamlin] to‐day ; do n’t take [me]_0-i to see any one , please . ” “_[1631-you] It ’s much wiser to let [her]_171-anne rest , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , in a tone of annoyance . “_[1631-you] Wo n’t [you]_1631-you just take [the poor girl]_{1188-the poor girl} to [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s , [Watty]_178-watty ? ” insisted [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} . “_[178-watty] It ’s a sin to keep [her]_171-anne mewed up at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} all day ; and [you]_1631-you know [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} was so anxious to see [her]_171-anne at once . ” “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} Confound [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ! ” exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} [I]_0-i beg [your]_1631-you pardon , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , but do [you]_1631-you feel inclined , after [your]_1631-you long journey , to go and see [a fat , fashionable lion‐huntress]_{1637-a fat , fashionable lion‐huntress} , with a snob of [a husband who sells currants]_{1638-a husband who sells currants} ? ” “_[1631-you] Not at all , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , laughing . “_[1631-you] [I]_0-i would much rather stay at [home]_4170-home , really . ” “_[0-i] Very well ; then [I]_0-i will show [you]_1631-you [the garden]_{675-the garden} and [[my]_0-i studio]_{1641-my studio} , if [you]_1631-you do n’t mind ; and [a great friend of [mine]_0-i]_{1642-a great friend of mine} , [Cosmo Chough,—I]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} think [I]_0-i sent [you]_1631-you some of [his]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} poems about music . . . . ” “_[0-i] Oh yes , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[0-i] they are lovely — ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [little Chough]_248-chough ’s poems perfectly indecent , ” interrupted [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i would much sooner let [a girl]_{4122-a girl} read ‘ [Don Juan]_{263-don juan} , ’ or even ‘ Candide , ’ any day . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin reddened , but laughed . “_[0-i] Opinions differ ; at any rate , [Miss Brown]_171-anne knows only [Chough]_248-chough ’s best things ; and when [he]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} is at [his]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} best , [Chough]_248-chough is really very good and pure and elevated . ” “_[248-chough] Ah , well , ” merely remarked [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_[248-chough] [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough said [he]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} would look in about four , ” went on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_{[262-cosmo chough,—i]} [He]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} is [a strange creature]_{1644-a strange creature} , and sometimes says odd things . ” “_{[1644-a strange creature]} Very odd things , ” put in [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} . “_{[1644-a strange creature]} But [he]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} is as pure‐minded [a man]_{503-a man} as [I]_0-i know , and [a real poet]_{1646-a real poet} , ” went on [Hamlin—“indeed]_{264-hamlin—“indeed[1646-a real poet]} quite one of the best ; and [he]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} is [a great musician]_{1647-a great musician} , and [a most entertaining fellow]_{1648-a most entertaining fellow} — [his]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} only weakness is that [he]_{262-cosmo chough,—i} is [a great republican and democrat]_{1649-a great republican and democrat} , but would like to be thought [the son of]_{1650-the son of} [a duke]_{1651-a duke} . ” “_{[1652-the son of a duke]} [The son of [a duke]_{1651-a duke}]_{1652-the son of a duke} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , in surprise . “_{[1654-the natural son]} Oh , [the natural son]_{1654-the natural son} , of course — forgive [me]_0-i , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_[577-people] [People]_577-people nowadays like anything illegitimate — it ’s a distinction . It was n’t in [my]_0-i day , but things have changed ; and [Mr Cosmo Chough]_248-chough would dearly like to be thought [a bastard]_{1657-a bastard} , especially [a duke]_{1651-a duke} ’s . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin smiled . “_{[265-poor chough]} [Poor Chough]_{265-poor chough} ! [Some one]_{1380-some one} told [him]_{265-poor chough} [he]_{265-poor chough} was like [Richard Savage]_{266-richard savage} one day , and that ’s [his]_{265-poor chough} pose . Would [you]_{4237-my dear} like to come into [the garden]_{675-the garden} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ” [They]_4672-they went together into [the strip of garden which lay behind [the house]_{509-the house}]_{4673-the strip of garden which lay behind the house} . There were not many flowers out as yet , only a few peonies and lilacs , and a belated tulip or hyacinth , but there was green , daisied grass , and big grey‐mossed apple‐trees still in blossom ; and across the low walls , covered with creepers , [you]_4675-you saw big waving tree‐branches , and [old brick houses covered with ivy]_{4676-old brick houses covered with ivy} : the birds were singing , and some hens clucking next door . It was very quiet and old‐world . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin showed [her]_{4237-my dear} all the rose‐buds which might soon come out , and the place where the lilies would be , and the espaliers for the sweet‐peas . Then [they]_4672-they went into [the two ground‐floor rooms which [he]_145-hamlin was arranging for [his]_145-hamlin studio]_{4677-the two ground‐floor rooms which he was arranging for his studio} : there were quantities of beautiful rare books and volumes of prints , and Persian and Japanese and old Italian metal‐work , and pottery all about , and easels with unfinished pictures evcrywhere — a great and beautiful confusion . When [he]_145-hamlin had showed [her]_{4237-my dear} [his]_145-hamlin properties , and [she]_{4237-my dear} had reverently handled the things which had once belonged to [Shelley]_238-shelley and [Keats]_239-keats , and the bundles of unpublished manuscripts , entrusted to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin by [living poets]_{4678-living poets} , [they]_4672-they sat down in [the studio]_{795-the studio} and began to discuss various matters : [Anne]_171-anne ’s school life , [her]_171-anne readings and lessons , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s work , art , poetry , life , all sorts of things,—a long and drowsy afternoon ’s talk , such as is possible only after a long correspondence between [people]_577-people become familiar without much personal intercourse , who , knowing [each other]_{594-each other} ’s mind , are now beginning to know [each other]_{594-each other} ’s face and ways and heart ; and which has a charm quite peculiar to itself , like that of hearing for the first time , with full symphony of voices and instruments , some piece of music which [we]_4683-we have learned to know and love merely from the dry score . [Anne]_171-anne had never felt so happy in all [her]_171-anne life , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin not often happier in [his]_145-hamlin , as [they]_4672-they sat in [the studio]_{795-the studio} , talking over abstract questions , which seemed to acquire such a quite personal interest from those who were discussing [them]_4685-them . [They]_4672-they were thus engaged when [the servant]_{4647-the servant} announced [Mr Cosmo Chough]_248-chough . [Anne]_171-anne ’s heart sank at the thought of confronting [one of [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s most intimate friends]_{4688-hamlin ’s most intimate friends}]_{4687-one of hamlin ’s most intimate friends} , and [one of [the poets who constituted the stars of [his]_145-hamlin solar system]_{4690-the poets who constituted the stars of his solar system}]_{4689-one of the poets who constituted the stars of his solar system} . To [Anne]_171-anne ’s surprise [Mr Chough]_248-chough did not at all resemble either [Shelley]_238-shelley or [Keats]_239-keats , as [she]_171-anne imagined ; [he]_{1661-my old friend} was [a little wiry man , with fiercely brushed coal‐black hair and whiskers]_{4691-a little wiry man , with fiercely brushed coal‐black hair and whiskers} , dressed within an inch of [his]_{1661-my old friend} life , but in a style of fashionableness , booted and cravated , which was quite peculiar to [himself]_{1661-my old friend} . “_[171-anne] [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[171-anne] let [me]_0-i introduce [[my]_0-i old friend]_{1661-my old friend} , [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough . ” [Mr Chough]_248-chough made a most fascinating bow , and swooped gracefully to the other end of [the studio]_{795-the studio} to fetch [himself]_248-chough a chair near [Anne]_171-anne ’s . [He]_{1661-my old friend} was quite touchingly concerned in [Anne]_171-anne ’s journey and [her]_171-anne sensations after it ; and asked [her]_171-anne whether [she]_171-anne liked [London]_4-london , with a sort of expansive chivalry of manner , as of [Sir Walter Raleigh]_{267-sir walter raleigh} spreading embroidered cloaks across puddles for [Queen Elizabeth]_{268-queen elizabeth} , which struck [her]_171-anne as rather ridiculous , but very agreeable , as [she]_171-anne had rather anticipated being scorned by [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s poetical friends]_{4693-hamlin ’s poetical friends} . [Anne]_171-anne thought [Mr. Chough]_248-chough decidedly nice , with [his]_{1661-my old friend} oriental style of politeness , and magnificent volubility , constantly quoting poetry in various languages in a shrill and chirpy voice ; moreover , [he]_{1661-my old friend} seemed to adore [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and this was enough to put [him]_{1661-my old friend} in [her]_171-anne good graces . [Mr Chough]_248-chough rapidly informed [her]_171-anne what [the principal poets in [London]_4-london and [Paris]_42-paris]_{4694-the principal poets in london and paris} ( for [he]_{1661-my old friend} spoke of French things with an affectation of throaty accent and allusions to [[his]_{1661-my old friend} “_[248-chough] real country]_{4695-his “ real country} ” which greatly puzzled [Anne]_171-anne ) were writing ; and [Anne]_171-anne felt so completely taken into confidence that [she]_171-anne ventured to ask [him]_{1661-my old friend} whether [he]_{1661-my old friend} was [himself]_{1661-my old friend} writing anything at present , as [she]_171-anne had greatly admired some short pieces of [his]_{1661-my old friend} which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had sent [her]_171-anne . [Mr Chough]_248-chough was as modest as [he]_{1661-my old friend} was polite . [His]_{1661-my old friend} eyes shone , and [he]_{1661-my old friend} clasped [his]_{1661-my old friend} small hands in ecstasy at the idea of anything of [his]_{1661-my old friend} having pleased [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [He]_{1661-my old friend} then proceeded to tell [her]_171-anne that [he]_{1661-my old friend} had an idea for a long poem — a sort of masque or mystery‐play — to be called the Triumph of Womanhood . “_[1662-we] [We]_1662-we were trying over some of [Jomelli]_269-jomelli ’s music a night or two ago , at [Isaac]_74-isaac [the great composer]_{1663-the great composer} ’s , ” [he]_{1661-my old friend} explained ; “_[1662-we] magnificent music , which [no one]_{3899-no one} can sing nowadays , and [we]_1662-we feebly crowed , when in the midst of the great burst of the “ Gloria ”_[0-i] [I]_0-i seemed to have revealed to [me]_0-i a vision of a mystic procession of [women]_3959-women going in triumph ; [I]_0-i understood , in a sort of flash , the mysterious and real regalness of Womanhood . ” “_[0-i] It must have been very beautiful , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , naively . [Mr Chough]_248-chough had opened the piano , and began playing , in a masterly way , a fragment of very intricate fugue . “_[0-i] Do [you]_1666-you notice that ? ” [he]_{1661-my old friend} asked : “_[1666-you] that sudden modulation there — ta ta ti , la la la — from A minor to E major,—that somehow mysteriously brought home to [me]_0-i one of the figures of that triumphal procession , and [her]_1667-her [I]_0-i have tried to describe . If [you]_1666-you like , [I]_0-i can repeat [you]_1666-you the first few lines ; it is called ‘ [Imperia]_75-imperia of [Rome]_28-rome . ’ ” “_[0-i] How good of [you]_1666-you , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_[1666-you] [I]_0-i think [we]_1662-we had better put off hearing it till [you]_1666-you have composed rather more of the poem , ” interrupted [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough looked mortified , and [Anne]_171-anne wondered why [Hamlin]_145-hamlin should silence [[his]_145-hamlin old friend]_{530-his old friend} . “_[1666-you] Tell [me]_0-i all about [[Imperia]_75-imperia of [Rome]_28-rome]_{1668-imperia of rome} , ” [she]_0-i asked . “_[1666-you] Who was she?—had [she]_{1668-imperia of rome} anything to do with [the Scipios]_{1669-the scipios} , or [Cato]_270-cato , or [Tarquin]_271-tarquin ? ” “_{[1668-imperia of rome]} [Imperia]_75-imperia was not [an ancient Roman]_{1670-an ancient roman} , ” explained [Chough]_248-chough ; “_{[1668-imperia of rome]} [she]_75-imperia lived at the beginning of the sixteenth century , and it is said that [all the cardinals and poets and artists of [Rome]_28-rome]_{1671-all the cardinals and poets and artists of rome} , nay , [the Pope]_{1672-the pope} [himself]_{1672-the pope} , accompanied [her]_75-imperia coffin when [she]_75-imperia died . ” “_{[1672-the pope]} Why , what had [she]_75-imperia done?—was [she]_75-imperia [a saint]_{924-a saint} ? ” “_{[924-a saint]} The inscription on [[her]_75-imperia tomb]_{1674-her tomb} is , [I]_0-i think , the most truly noble and Roman ever composed on [any woman]_{1339-any woman} , ” proceeded [Chough]_248-chough ; “_[0-i] [Imperia]_75-imperia . . . ” “_[0-i] [Miss Brown]_171-anne does n’t understand Latin , Cosmo , ” interrupted [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , roughly , “_[0-i] and [I]_0-i am sure [she]_171-anne would take no interest in [Imperia]_75-imperia or [her]_75-imperia epitaph . Supposing [you]_1676-you let [Miss Brown]_171-anne hear some of that beautiful Jomelli Mass [you]_1676-you were speaking about . [Chough]_248-chough is [one of the finest musicians [I]_0-i know]_{1677-one of the finest musicians i know} , ” [he]_145-hamlin explained to [Anne]_171-anne , “_[248-chough] and [he]_{1677-one of the finest musicians i know} is quite famous for singing all sorts of [forgotten old Italian masters]_{1678-forgotten old italian masters} . ” [Chough]_248-chough sat down and began to sing , in a warbling falsetto , but with the most marvellous old‐world grace and finish . [Anne]_171-anne did not attend . [She]_171-anne was wondering about [Imperia of]_75-imperia [Rome]_28-rome . Why had [Hamlin]_145-hamlin cut short [Chough]_248-chough ? What had [Imperia]_75-imperia done ? The remarks of [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} came to [her]_171-anne mind ; and [she]_171-anne felt indignant , and [her]_171-anne indignation was all the greater , perhaps , because [Chough]_248-chough ’s offence was vague and unknown — how nobly and simply [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had silenced [him]_{1677-one of the finest musicians i know} ! [She]_171-anne wondered whether [he]_145-hamlin was very angry with [Chough]_248-chough , and whether [Chough]_248-chough ’s feelings had been much hurt . [She]_171-anne felt rather sorry for the sharp way in which [he]_{1677-one of the finest musicians i know} had been treated , and terrified lest [she]_171-anne should be a source of misunderstanding between [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} . [She]_171-anne greatly praised [Chough]_248-chough ’s singing . “_{[1677-one of the finest musicians i know]} Will [you]_1679-you sing ? ” cried [the little poet]_{4698-the little poet} , supplicatingly ; “_[1679-you] [you]_1679-you must have a beautiful voice . [I]_0-i know it from [your]_1679-you way of speaking . ” [Anne]_171-anne refused in terror . “_[0-i] Do sing , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” urged [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . So [she]_171-anne took [her]_171-anne courage with both hands , as [she]_171-anne expressed it , and sang an air by [Scarlatti]_{273-scarlatti} , [Chough]_248-chough accompanying . [She]_171-anne made several false starts , and sang the wrong words almost throughout , for [she]_171-anne felt a lump in [her]_171-anne chest . [Anne]_171-anne had a deep , powerful , rather guttural voice , not improved by singing modern German songs at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz ; but the voice was fine , and [she]_171-anne had caught something of the manner of [[her]_171-anne former protectress]_{4699-her former protectress} , [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} , who had been [a great singer in [her]_{175-miss curzon} day]_{4700-a great singer in her day} . [Chough]_248-chough burst out into applause . “_[171-anne] A splendid voice ! ” [he]_4701-he cried ; “_[171-anne] [you]_171-anne must sing , [Miss Brown]_171-anne — [you]_171-anne must study — [I]_0-i will come and practise [your]_171-anne accompaniments for [you]_171-anne , if [you]_171-anne will permit [me]_0-i . ” [Anne]_171-anne looked at [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; such an offer , on so slight an acquaintance , surprised [her]_171-anne . “_[171-anne] [You]_171-anne will let [Chough]_248-chough teach [you]_171-anne , wo n’t [you]_171-anne , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ” asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , approvingly . [He]_145-hamlin afterwards told [her]_171-anne that [Chough]_248-chough spent whatever leisure remained from an inferior Government offce , in which , together with [a whole band of other poets]_{4702-a whole band of other poets} , [he]_145-hamlin was employed , in playing accompaniments for [various young ladies whom [he]_145-hamlin considered , each singly , the most divine types of womanhood whom [he]_145-hamlin had ever met]_{4703-various young ladies whom he considered , each singly , the most divine types of womanhood whom he had ever met} . [Chough]_248-chough was in high spirits , and proceeded to display to [Anne]_171-anne two or three relics which [he]_145-hamlin carried on [his]_145-hamlin person . [A fervent though not very orthodox Catholic]_{4704-a fervent though not very orthodox catholic} , [he]_145-hamlin was prone to religious mysticism : on [his]_145-hamlin watch‐chain hung a gold cross , containing a bit of wood from [[St Theresa]_{274-st theresa} ’s house]_{4705-st theresa ’s house} , which [a friend]_{4706-a friend} had brought [him]_145-hamlin from [Spain]_77-spain ; by its side dangled a large locket , enclosing a wisp of yellow hair . “_[171-anne] It is a lock of [Lucretia Borgia]_{275-lucretia borgia} ’s , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , displaying it with as much unction as [he]_145-hamlin had manifested for [St Theresa—“a]_{78-st theresa—“a[275-lucretia borgia]} bit of the one which [Byron]_276-byron possessed,—the most precious thing [I]_0-i have in all [the world]_{496-the world} . ” “_[1681-she] [She]_1681-she was rather an insignificant character though , on the whole , was n’t [she]_1681-she ? ” remarked [Anne]_171-anne , not knowing what to say,—“a_[1681-she] sort of characterless villain , [the Germans]_{235-the germans} say . ” [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough was indignant . “_{[235-the germans]} Insignificant ! ” [he]_145-hamlin cried — “_{[235-the germans]} a Borgia insignificant ! Why , [her]_1681-she blood ran with evil as the Pactolus does with gold . [All women that have ever been , except [Sappho]_277-sappho and [Vittoria Accoramboni]_{278-vittoria accoramboni}]_{1682-all women that have ever been , except sappho and vittoria accoramboni} , and perhaps [Faustina]_279-faustina , were lifeless shadows by [her]_1681-she side . . . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t believe in [those sort of women]_{1683-those sort of women} having been very remarkable , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , in [her]_171-anne frank , stolid way , “_[0-i] except for disreputableness . ” “_[0-i] But that is just it,—that which [you]_0-i call disreputableness , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” cried [Chough]_248-chough , “_[0-i] therein is [their]_{1683-those sort of women} greatness , in that fiery . . . ” [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head contemptuously . “_{[1683-those sort of women]} [I]_0-i daresay [great women]_{1685-great women} have often committed great crimes , ” [she]_0-i said ; “_[0-i] but then [they]_{1685-great women} have had great plans and ambitions ; [they]_{1685-great women} have not been [mere wretched slaves of passion]_{1686-mere wretched slaves of passion} ; ” and [she]_0-i relapsed into silence . [She]_1681-she had had what [Hamlin]_145-hamlin used to call [her]_1681-she Amazon or Valkyr expression as [she]_1681-she spoke ; and [he]_145-hamlin felt , as [he]_145-hamlin had felt in [Florence]_6-florence , the persuasion that [this proud and sombre woman]_{4707-this proud and sombre woman} must have in [her]_1681-she future some great decision , some great sacrifice of others or of [herself]_1681-she . While [they]_4708-they were talking , [the servant]_{4647-the servant} entered to tell [Miss Brown]_171-anne that [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} was in [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} with [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_{[1685-great women]} Confound [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ! ” exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin between [his]_145-hamlin teeth , “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} to come intruding so soon . ” “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} Is that [the lion‐hunting lady]_{1687-the lion‐hunting lady} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[1687-the lion‐hunting lady]} Yes ; [I]_0-i suppose [you]_0-i must receive [her]_{1687-the lion‐hunting lady} , as [she]_{1687-the lion‐hunting lady} has called on [you]_0-i . ” “_{[1687-the lion‐hunting lady]} Called on [me]_0-i ? ” repeated [Anne]_171-anne in amazement ; “_[0-i] [you]_0-i mean on [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . Why , how should [she]_{1687-the lion‐hunting lady} have heard of [me]_0-i ? ” “_{[1687-the lion‐hunting lady]} All [London]_4-london has heard of [you]_0-i , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” exclaimed [Chough]_248-chough enthusiastically , as [he]_4711-he opened the door for [her]_0-i ; “_[171-anne] at least all that deserves to be called [London]_4-london . And [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} said last night at [[Wendell]_79-wendell the R.A. ’s]_{1688-wendell the r.a. ’s} , that [she]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} was determined to see [you]_0-i before [any other creature in [town]_821-town]_{1689-any other creature in town} . [You]_0-i see [I]_0-i have gained a march upon [her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not answer , but [she]_171-anne grew purple . So [every one]_{4712-every one} was curious to see [this nursery‐maid whom [the great Hamlin]_145-hamlin had cast [his]_145-hamlin eyes on , and whom [he]_145-hamlin had generously educated]_{4713-this nursery‐maid whom the great hamlin had cast his eyes on , and whom he had generously educated} ; for the first time [her]_171-anne heart burst with indignation and ruffled pride . But after a moment , as [she]_171-anne sat in [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} , after frigidly returning [the fat and fashionable lion‐huntress]_{4715-the fat and fashionable lion‐huntress} ’s affectionate greeting , [her]_171-anne conscience smote [her]_171-anne : who was [she]_171-anne , that [she]_171-anne should feel thus ? if [she]_171-anne did depend entirely on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s generosity , ought [she]_171-anne not to be grateful merely , and proud ? and if [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} felt curious to see [her]_171-anne , was it not natural , [he]_145-hamlin being what [he]_145-hamlin was ; and had [she]_171-anne a right to feel annoyed at [their]_{893-his friends} curiosity , at [their]_{893-his friends} knowing all about [her]_171-anne ? It had been mean and unworthy . Yet [she]_171-anne could not help feeling a sort of vague anger at [she]_171-anne knew not what , as [the lady]_{3881-the lady} chattered away , in glib Greek‐English , about [poets]_1628-poets , and studios , and dinner‐parties ; and [she]_171-anne answered [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} only in monosyllables . “_[0-i] [You]_1691-you must let [me]_0-i take [[your]_1691-you ward]_{1692-your ward} into society a little , dear [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , ” lisped [the Greek lady]_{4719-the greek lady} , “_[0-i] for [I]_0-i know [you]_1691-you hate going out of an evening . [Miss Brown]_171-anne must meet [some of [the principal persons of [our]_1695-our set]_{1694-the principal persons of our set}]_{1693-some of the principal persons of our set} . ” [She]_171-anne was very fat , very good‐natured , and extremely vulgar‐looking , [her]_171-anne huge body encased in a medieval dress of flaming gold brocade . “_{[1693-some of the principal persons of our set]} What in [the world]_{496-the world} can [she]_171-anne have to do among [artists]_1500-artists and [poets]_1628-poets ? ” thought [Anne]_171-anne . “_[171-anne] [[Her]_171-anne husband]_{693-her husband} is in the currant‐trade , ” whispered [Chough—“an]_{280-chough—“an[693-her husband]} awful old noodle , but [he]_{693-her husband} buys more pictures of [[our]_1695-our school]_{1700-our school} than [any one else]_{1701-any one else} . [[Their]_1702-their house]_{1703-their house} is a perfect wonder . ” “_[1702-their] [[My]_0-i aunt]_{4294-my aunt} is going to ask [a few friends]_{1705-a few friends} to meet [Miss Brown]_171-anne first here , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “_{[4294-my aunt]} perhaps [you]_1706-you will join [them]_{1705-a few friends} , [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} . There ’s plenty of time to think of party‐going . ” “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} Very good , very good , ” answered [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ; “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} meanwhile perhaps [I]_0-i may have the pleasure of taking [Miss Brown]_171-anne out for a drive once or twice . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am sure [she]_171-anne will be delighted , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i hate [that woman]_{1707-that woman} ! ” exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [he]_145-hamlin returned from escorting [the wife of [the currant‐dealer]_{4721-the currant‐dealer}]_{4720-the wife of the currant‐dealer} to the door ; “_{[1707-that woman]} [an odious , inquisitive , vulgar brute]_{1708-an odious , inquisitive , vulgar brute} . ” “_{[1708-an odious , inquisitive , vulgar brute]} [She]_{1707-that woman} looks good‐natured , [I]_0-i think , ” insinuated [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] Oh , [every one ’s good‐natured]_{1709-every one ’s good‐natured} ! ” “_{[1709-every one ’s good‐natured]} In [your]_0-i set , [Watty]_178-watty ? ” asked [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , bitterly . “_{[4712-every one]} [Every one]_{4712-every one} ’s good‐natured ! ” continued [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , throwing [himself]_145-hamlin back in [his]_145-hamlin chair ; “_{[4712-every one]} and so ’s [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} . But a kind of grain that sets [my]_0-i nerves off . That ’s the misfortune of [London]_4-london , that a lot of vulgar creatures , merely because [they]_1711-they buy [our]_1712-our pictures and give dinners , have come and invaded [our]_1712-our set , showing [us]_1712-our , like so many wild beasts , to [the fashionable world]_{1713-the fashionable world} . Positively , [I]_0-i shall have to give up [London]_4-london . But [you]_0-i will find , ” [he]_145-hamlin added , turning to [Anne]_171-anne , “_[1711-they] [one or two houses]_{1714-one or two houses} still remaining where one meets only [superior people]_{1715-superior people} — the houses where artistic life really goes on . ” “_[1716-one] Upon whipped cream and Swiss champagne , ” said [Mrs Macgregor—“what]_{281-mrs macgregor—“what[1716-one]} [one]_1716-one might call the real , genuine , four hundred a‐year intellectual world . Ah , well , [Walter]_145-hamlin ! [you]_145-hamlin need n’t look reproachful ; but it is droll what sort of people [you]_145-hamlin have come to associate with — [clerks]_1717-clerks and [penny‐a‐liners]_{1718-penny‐a‐liners} , each of [them]_1719-them [a great poet]_{1720-a great poet} . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin merely smiled . “_[620-one] [One]_620-one must make [a world]_{1722-a world} for [one]_620-one ’s self , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , and looked at [Anne]_171-anne . When [Mr Cosmo Chough]_248-chough had taken [his]_145-hamlin seat next to [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} , [the portly lady]_{4722-the portly lady} deluged [him]_145-hamlin with questions and replies as [her]_{4722-the portly lady} landau rolled away . “_[620-one] On the whole , [I]_0-i ’m quite as well pleased not to take [her]_0-i out at once , ” [she]_0-i said . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’m not at all so sure about [her]_0-i . [She]_0-i seems to [me]_0-i too big and lumpish and healthy‐looking . [I]_0-i should like to have one or two opinions first — [one or two artists]_{1724-one or two artists} ’ , and [young Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} ’s , and [little O’Reilly’s]_{282-little o’reilly’s} — of course , [they]_1725-their ’ll see [her]_0-i at [[old Smith]_{156-mr thaddeus smith} ’s]_{1726-old smith ’s} , or [Mrs Saunders]_{283-mrs saunders} ’s , or [some such house]_{1727-some such house} — and all depends on [their]_1725-their verdict . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know what [mine]_0-i is , ” cried [little Chough]_248-chough , enthusiastically—“that_[0-i] [she]_0-i is [the divinest woman , in the cold , imperial style]_{1728-the divinest woman , in the cold , imperial style} , with a latent and strange smouldering passion , that [I]_0-i ever set eyes on . And as to [that flabby elephant Posthlethwaite]_{1729-that flabby elephant posthlethwaite} , and that little hop , skip , and jump of [an impudent jackanapes O’Reilly]_{1730-an impudent jackanapes o’reilly} , [I]_0-i wonder how [you]_1731-you can think [their]_1725-their opinion worth having , or , indeed , [their]_1725-their presence supportable . ” At this grand winding up [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} laughed loudly . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know [you]_1731-you do n’t like [those young men]_{1732-those young men} , ” [she]_0-i said . “_{[1732-those young men]} [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} ’s [[your]_1731-you rival]_{1733-your rival} , [they]_{1732-those young men} say ; [he]_{256-posthlethwaite} writes even more improper things than [you]_1731-you do ; and [you]_1731-you ca n’t forgive [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} calling [your]_1731-you poems the loves of [the cannibals]_{1734-the cannibals} . Oh , [I]_0-i know [you]_1731-you [poets]_1628-poets ! Now , shall [I]_0-i drive [you]_1731-you [home]_4170-home ? What ’s [your]_1731-you address ? ” This was an old joke , for [Mr Cosmo Chough]_248-chough always surrounded [[his]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} dwelling‐place]_{4723-his dwelling‐place} with mystery , and had [his]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} letters addressed to [[his]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} office]_{4724-his office} . “_[0-i] Pray do n’t inconvenience [yourself]_1731-you , ” [he]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} said in a stately way ; “_[0-i] set [me]_0-i down at [the corner of [Park Lane]_{80-park lane}]_{1737-the corner of park lane} . [I]_0-i shall walk [home]_4170-home in less than a minute from there . ” “_[0-i] To [the corner of [Park Lane]_{80-park lane}]_{1737-the corner of park lane} , ” ordered [[Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} of [her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} footman , who knew , as well as [[his]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} mistress]_{1072-his mistress} and every other creature in what [they]_4727-they called [London]_4-london]_{4725-mrs argiropoulo of her footman , who knew , as well as his mistress and every other creature in what they called london} , that [Mr Cosmo Chough]_248-chough lived in [a secluded terrace in [Canonbury]_81-canonbury]_{4728-a secluded terrace in canonbury} . [ANNE BROWN]_171-anne found that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , or , as [he]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} studiously put it , [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , had made several engagements for [her]_171-anne before [her]_171-anne arrival ; and before [she]_171-anne could thoroughly realise that [the school]_{1304-the school} , the journey from [Coblenz]_51-coblenz , were things of the past , [she]_171-anne found [herself]_171-anne being led about , passively , half unconsciously , through the mazes of æsthetic [London]_4-london . It was all very hazy : [Anne]_171-anne was informed that this and [that person]_{4730-that person} was coming to dinner or lunch at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} ; that this or [that person]_{4730-that person} hoped [she]_171-anne would come and dine or take tea somewhere or other ; that [such or such a lady]_{4732-such or such a lady} was going to take [her]_171-anne to see some one or [other ’s studio]_{4733-other ’s studio} , or to introduce [her]_171-anne at [[some other person]_{4734-some other person} ’s house]_{4735-some other person ’s house} . [She]_171-anne knew that [they]_4736-they were all either [distinguished poets]_{4737-distinguished poets} , or [critics]_4738-critics , or [painters]_521-painters , or [musicians]_{4740-musicians} , or distinguished relations and [friends of the above]_{4741-friends of the above} ; that [they]_4736-they all received [her]_171-anne as if [they]_4736-they had heard of [her]_171-anne from [their]_4736-they earliest infancy ; that [they]_4736-they pressed [her]_171-anne to have tea , and strawberries , and claret‐cup , and cakes , and asked [her]_171-anne what [she]_171-anne thought of this picture or that poem ; that [they]_4736-they lived in [grim , smut‐engrained houses in [Bloomsbury]_{82-bloomsbury}]_{4742-grim , smut‐engrained houses in bloomsbury} , or [rose‐grown cottages at [Hampstead]_83-hampstead , with just the same sort of weird furniture , partly Japanese , partly [Queen Anne]_{285-queen anne}]_{4743-rose‐grown cottages at hampstead , with just the same sort of weird furniture , partly japanese , partly queen anne} , partly medieval ; with blue‐and‐white china and embroidered chasubles stuck upon the walls if [they]_4736-they were rich , and twopenny screens and ninepenny pots if [they]_4736-they were poor , but with no further differences ; and , finally , that [they]_4736-they were all intimately acquainted , and spoke of [each other]_{594-each other} as being , or just having missed being , the most brilliant or promising specimens of whatever [they]_4736-they happened to be . At first [Anne]_{285-queen anne} felt very shy and puzzled ; but after a few days the very vagueness which [she]_{285-queen anne} felt about [all these men]_{4745-all these men} and [women]_3959-women , [these artists]_{4747-these artists} , [critics]_4738-critics , [poets]_1628-poets , and [relatives , who were perpetually reappearing as on a merry‐go‐round,—nay]_{4750-relatives , who were perpetually reappearing as on a merry‐go‐round,—nay} , the very cloudiness as to the identity of [these familiar faces]_{4751-these familiar faces} — the very confusion as to whether [they]_4736-they were one , two , or three different individuals,—produced in [Miss Brown]_171-anne an indifference , an ease , almost a familiarity , like that which [we]_4752-we may experience towards the vague , unindividual company met on [a steamer]_{1375-a steamer} or at [a hotel]_{4754-a hotel} . And little by little , out of [this crowd of people who seemed to look , and to dress , and to talk very much alike,—venerable bearded men]_{4755-this crowd of people who seemed to look , and to dress , and to talk very much alike,—venerable bearded men} , who were [the heads of great schools of painting , or poetry , or criticism]_{4756-the heads of great schools of painting , or poetry , or criticism} , or were [the papas of great offspring]_{4757-the papas of great offspring} ; [elderly , quaintly dressed ladies]_{4758-elderly , quaintly dressed ladies} , who were [[somebody]_{4759-somebody} ’s wife]_{4760-somebody ’s wife} , or [mother]_4664-mother , or [sister]_4762-sister ; [youngish men , with manners at once exotically courteous , and curiously free and easy , in velveteen coats and mustard‐coloured shooting‐jackets or elegiac‐looking dress‐coats , all rising in poetry , or art , or criticism]_{4763-youngish men , with manners at once exotically courteous , and curiously free and easy , in velveteen coats and mustard‐coloured shooting‐jackets or elegiac‐looking dress‐coats , all rising in poetry , or art , or criticism} ; [young ladies , varying from sixteen to six‐and‐thirty , with hair cut like medieval pages , or tousled like mœnads]_{4764-young ladies , varying from sixteen to six‐and‐thirty , with hair cut like medieval pages , or tousled like mœnads} , or tucked away under caps like [eighteenth‐century housekeepers , habited in limp and stayless garments , picturesque and economical , with Japanese chintzes for brocade , and flannel instead of stamped velvets]_{4765-eighteenth‐century housekeepers , habited in limp and stayless garments , picturesque and economical , with japanese chintzes for brocade , and flannel instead of stamped velvets} — most of which [young ladies]_{4766-young ladies} appeared at one period , past , present , or future , to own a connection with [the Slade school]_{4767-the slade school} , and [all of whom , when not [poets]_1628-poets or [painters]_521-painters [themselves]_{4768-all of whom , when not poets or painters themselves}]_{4768-all of whom , when not poets or painters themselves} , were the belongings of [some such]_{4771-some such} , or madly in love with [the great sonneteer such a one]_{4772-the great sonneteer such a one} , or [the great colourist such another;—out of all]_{4773-the great colourist such another;—out of all} this confusion there began gradually to detach [themselves]_{4768-all of whom , when not poets or painters themselves} and assume consistency in [Anne]_171-anne ’s mind one or two personalities , some of whom attracted , and some of whom repelled [her]_171-anne , as [we]_4774-we shall see further on ; but to [all these people]_{4775-all these people} , vague or distinct , attractive or repulsive , [Miss Brown]_171-anne felt a kind of gratitude — something , in an infinitesimal degree , of the thankfulness for undeserved kindness and courtesy which constituted a large part of [her]_171-anne love for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . It was a curious state of things , thus to be introduced by [a man whom [she]_171-anne knew at once so much and so little , to [this exclusive and esoteric sort of people]_{4777-this exclusive and esoteric sort of people}]_{4776-a man whom she knew at once so much and so little , to this exclusive and esoteric sort of people} ; and whenever the thought would come upon [her]_171-anne how completely and utterly [she]_171-anne , [the daughter of [the dockyard workman of [Spezia]_14-spezia]_{4779-the dockyard workman of spezia} , [the former servant of [the little Perrys]_{167-the perrys}]_{4780-the former servant of the little perrys}]_{4778-the daughter of the dockyard workman of spezia , the former servant of the little perrys} , was foreign to all this , it made [her]_171-anne feel alone and giddy , like [one standing on a rock]_{4781-one standing on a rock} and watching [the waters below]_{4782-the waters below} . Such was the condition of things when one morning , about three weeks after [Anne]_171-anne ’s arrival , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin put upon the luncheon‐table a note addressed to [Miss Brown]_171-anne . “_[0-i] It ’s an invitation to [[Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s big party]_{1740-mrs argiropoulo ’s big party} on the twenty‐seventh , ” [he]_145-hamlin said ; “_[0-i] [you]_1741-you must go , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [She]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s an awful being [herself]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ; but [you]_1741-you ’ll see [all the most interesting people in [London]_4-london]_{1742-all the most interesting people in london} at [[her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} house]_{4033-her house} . [Edith Spencer]_286-edith or [Miss Pringle]_{287-miss pringle} can take [you]_1741-you , if [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} feel too tired . ” “_{[247-aunt claudia]} [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} always feels too tired , ” answered [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , in a bitter little tone . [Anne]_171-anne could not quite understand [this amiable and cynical old lady , who was at once devotedly attached to [[her]_171-anne nephew]_{4784-her nephew} , and perpetually railing at [[his]_{4784-her nephew} friends]_{893-his friends}]_{4783-this amiable and cynical old lady , who was at once devotedly attached to her nephew , and perpetually railing at his friends} . A fear seized [her]_171-anne lest , in [her]_171-anne vague , almost somnambulic introduction into æsthetic society , [she]_171-anne might have unconsciously neglected [the woman who , proud of [her]_171-anne birth as [she]_171-anne was]_{4786-the woman who , proud of her birth as she was} , requested [[this workman]_{4787-this workman} ’s daughter]_{4788-this workman ’s daughter} to address and consider [her]_171-anne as [[her]_171-anne aunt]_{4789-her aunt} . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} Oh , wo n’t [you]_1744-you go ? ” cried [Anne]_171-anne ; “_{[247-aunt claudia]} wo n’t [you]_1744-you go , [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ? ” “_{[243-mrs macgregor]} The fact is , ” hesitated [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_{[247-aunt claudia]} that — [you]_1744-you see — [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} invites [comparatively few people]_{1745-comparatively few people} , and — ” “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} That [she]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} wants only [celebrities]_{1746-celebrities} , or [great folk]_{1747-great folk} , or [pretty girls]_{1748-pretty girls} , ” interrupted [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , with [her]_{247-aunt claudia} friendly cynicism , “_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} or , as [she]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} expresses it , that [she]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} wants no padding . So [you]_1744-you must go with [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} or [Miss Pringle]_{287-miss pringle} , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} . ” “_{[287-miss pringle]} But it is abominable ; it is most rude of [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ; and [I]_0-i certainly wo n’t go anywhere where [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} has not been invited . ” “_{[247-aunt claudia]} Nonsense , [Nan]_171-anne , ” silenced [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} ; “_[171-anne] [you]_171-anne ’re not up to [this lion‐hunting world]_{1750-this lion‐hunting world} yet . Where there are so many [geniuses on the loose]_{1751-geniuses on the loose} , and [so many professed beauties]_{1752-so many professed beauties} , there are no chairs for [old women]_{1753-old women} , except [countesses]_{1754-countesses} or [school board managers]_{1755-school board managers} . ” “_{[1755-school board managers]} But since [you]_1744-you think [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} hateful , ” persisted [Anne]_171-anne , addressing [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[1744-you] why should [you]_1744-you wish [me]_0-i to go ? [You]_1744-you know [I]_0-i would much rather not ; and [I]_0-i think , considering [her]_{247-aunt claudia} rudeness to [[your]_1744-you aunt]_{1756-your aunt} , [you]_1744-you ought not to wish [me]_0-i to go . ” “_[1744-you] As [you]_1744-you choose , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , peevishly . “_[171-anne] Do n’t be absurd , [Anne]_171-anne — [you]_1744-you must go , ” insisted [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_[1744-you] Listen : [Watty]_178-watty has actually been addling [his]_178-watty brains doing dressmaking ; [he]_178-watty has invented a dress for [you]_1744-you to go to the party , so [you]_1744-you will break [his]_178-watty heart if [you]_1744-you refuse . ” [Anne]_171-anne looked in amazement ; and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin reddened . “_[178-watty] [I]_0-i hope [you]_1744-you will not deem it a liberty on [my]_0-i part , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” [he]_145-hamlin said ; “_[1744-you] but as [I]_0-i knew that this invitation was coming , [I]_0-i ventured to make a sketch of the sort of dress which [I]_0-i think would become [you]_1744-you , and to give it to [a woman who has made dresses from [artists]_1500-artists ’ directions]_{1757-a woman who has made dresses from artists ’ directions} ; of course , if [you]_1744-you do n’t think it pretty , [you]_1744-you wo n’t dream of putting it on . But [I]_0-i could not resist the temptation . ” [Miss Brown]_171-anne scarcely knew what to say or feel : there was in [her]_171-anne a moment ’s humiliation at being so completely [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s property]_{4791-hamlin ’s property} as to warrant this ; then [she]_171-anne felt grateful and ashamed of [her]_171-anne ingratitude . “_[0-i] If [you]_0-i had shown [me]_0-i the sketch , [I]_0-i daresay [I]_0-i could have made up the dress [myself]_0-i , ” [she]_0-i said . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i fear [my]_0-i sketch might not have been very intelligible to [any one who had not experience of making such things]_{1759-any one who had not experience of making such things} . ” “_[0-i] Perhaps not , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , thinking of all the dresses for [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} and the little Perrys which [she]_0-i had made in [her]_0-i day . “_[0-i] It was very good of [you]_0-i , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ” “_[145-hamlin] What [an idiot]_{4316-an idiot} [I]_0-i was to let the cat out of the bag ! ” exclaimed [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} when [[her]_{243-mrs macgregor} nephew]_{4784-her nephew} was out of hearing . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’ve spoilt [your]_0-i pleasure in the frock ; and there ’s [Walter]_145-hamlin sulking because [he]_145-hamlin thinks [you]_0-i wo n’t like it . ” “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i am very ungrateful , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , sighing as [she]_0-i stooped over [her]_0-i book , and feeling all the same that [she]_0-i wished [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would let [her]_0-i make up [her]_0-i dresses [herself]_0-i . A few days later [the dressmaker]_{4793-the dressmaker} came to try on the dress , or rather ( perhaps because [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not wish [Anne]_171-anne to see it before it was finished ) [its]_4794-its linings and a small amount of the Greek stuff of which it was made ; but it was not till the very afternoon of [[Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s party]_{4795-mrs argiropoulo ’s party} that the costume was brought [home]_4170-home finished . [Miss Brown]_171-anne was by this time tolerably accustomed to the eccentric garb of æsthetic circles , and [she]_171-anne firmly believed that it was the only one which [a self‐respecting woman]_{4797-a self‐respecting woman} might wear ; but when [she]_171-anne saw the dress which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had designed for [her]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne could not help shrinking back in dismay . It was of that Cretan silk , not much thicker than muslin , which is woven in minute wrinkles of palest yellowy white ; it was made , it seemed to [her]_171-anne , more like a night‐gown than anything else , shapeless and yet clinging with large and small folds , and creases like those of [damp sculptor]_{4798-damp sculptor} ’s drapery , or the garments of [[Mantegna]_252-mantegna ’s women]_{4799-mantegna ’s women} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i must get out a long petticoat , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , appalled . “_[0-i] Oh please , [ma’am]_1585-ma’am , no , ” cried [the dressmaker]_{4793-the dressmaker} . “_{[1585-ma’am]} On no account an additional petticoat — it would ruin the whole effect . On the contrary , [you]_1585-ma’am ought to remove one of those [you]_1585-ma’am have on , because like this the dress ca n’t cling properly . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i wo n’t have it cling , ” cried [Miss Brown]_171-anne , resolutely . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will let alone the extra petticoat , but that ’s as much as [I]_0-i will do . ” “_[0-i] As [you]_1585-ma’am please , [ma’am]_1585-ma’am , ” answered [the woman]_{4801-the woman} , and continued adjusting the limp garment with [the maid]_{4505-the maid} ’s assistance . [Anne]_171-anne walked to the mirror . [She]_171-anne was almost terrified at the figure which met [her]_171-anne . [That colossal woman]_{4803-that colossal woman} , with wrinkled drapery clinging to [her]_{4803-that colossal woman} in half‐antique , half‐medieval guise,—that great solemn , theatrical creature , could that be [herself]_{4803-that colossal woman} ? “_{[1585-ma’am]} [I]_0-i think , ” [she]_0-i said in despair , “_[0-i] that there ’s something very odd about it , [Mrs Perkins]_{289-mrs perkins} . It looks somehow all wrong . Are [you]_{289-mrs perkins} sure that something has n’t got unstitched ? ” “_{[289-mrs perkins]} No indeed , [madam]_4383-madam , ” answered [the dressmaker]_{4793-the dressmaker} , ruffled in [her]_{4793-the dressmaker} dignity . “_[4383-madam] [I]_0-i have exactly followed the design ; and , ” [she]_0-i added , with crushing effect , “_[0-i] as it ’s [I]_0-i who execute the most difficult designs for [the Lyceum]_{1764-the lyceum} , [I]_0-i think [I]_0-i may say that it could not be made differently . ” [The Lyceum]_{84-the lyceum} ! [Anne]_171-anne felt half petrified . What ! [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was having [her]_171-anne rigged out by [a stage dressmaker]_{4805-a stage dressmaker} ! “_[0-i] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin is down‐stairs , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” hesitated [the maid]_{4505-the maid} , as [Anne]_171-anne bade [her]_{4505-the maid} help [her]_171-anne out of this mass of limp stuff . “_[145-hamlin] [He]_145-hamlin said [he]_145-hamlin would wait to see [you]_171-anne after [the dressmaker]_{4793-the dressmaker} had left , if [you]_171-anne had no objection . ” “_[145-hamlin] [Watty]_178-watty wants to see [you]_171-anne in [your]_171-anne new frock , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , putting [her]_0-i head in at the door . “_[178-watty] Come along . ” [Anne]_171-anne followed [down‐stairs]_{4807-down‐stairs} , gathering all that uncanny white crape about [her]_171-anne . For the first time [she]_171-anne felt a dull anger against [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [He]_145-hamlin met [her]_171-anne in [the dim drawing‐room]_{4808-the dim drawing‐room} . “_[178-watty] [My]_0-i hair is n’t done yet , ” was all [Miss Brown]_171-anne could say , tousling it with [her]_171-anne hands . “_[0-i] Leave it like that — oh , do leave it like that ! ” exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “_[171-anne] [you]_171-anne ca n’t think how”—and [he]_145-hamlin paused and looked at [her]_171-anne , where [she]_171-anne stood before [him]_145-hamlin , stooping [her]_171-anne massive head sullenly—“you_[171-anne] ca n’t think how beautiful [you]_171-anne look , [Anne]_171-anne ! ” It was the first time [he]_145-hamlin had called [her]_171-anne by [her]_171-anne Christian name since that scene , long ago , in [the studio at [Florence]_6-florence]_{4809-the studio at florence} . “_[171-anne] Forgive [me]_0-i , [dear Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” [he]_145-hamlin apologised . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i knew how such a dress must suit [you]_171-anne , and yet it has given [me]_0-i quite a shock to see [you]_171-anne in it . ” “_[0-i] It was very kind of [you]_171-anne to have it made for [me]_0-i , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , “_[171-anne] and the stuff is very pretty also ; and — and [I]_0-i am so glad [you]_171-anne like [me]_0-i in it . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin kissed [her]_171-anne hand . [He]_145-hamlin was more than usually handsome , and looked very happy . “_[0-i] Thank [you]_171-anne , ” [he]_145-hamlin said ; “_[0-i] [I]_0-i must now go [home]_4170-home and dress for that stupid dinner‐party . [I]_0-i will meet [you]_171-anne at [[Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s]_{1768-mrs argiropoulo ’s} at half‐past ten or eleven . [I]_0-i suppose [Edith Spencer]_286-edith will call for [you]_171-anne soon after dinner . Good‐bye . ” [He]_145-hamlin looked at [her]_171-anne with a kind of fervour , and left [the room]_{574-the room} . [Anne]_171-anne sat down . Why did that dress make such a difference to [him]_145-hamlin ? Why did [he]_145-hamlin care so much more for [her]_171-anne because [she]_171-anne had it on ? Did [he]_145-hamlin care for [her]_171-anne only as a sort of live picture ? [she]_171-anne thought bitterly . But , after all , it was quite natural on [his]_145-hamlin part to be pleased , since [he]_145-hamlin had invented the dress . And it was very good of [him]_145-hamlin to have thought of [her]_171-anne at all . And thus , in a state of enjoyable repentance , [she]_171-anne awaited the hour to go to [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} . [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , [a very lovable and laughable little woman , whose soul was divided between [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} babies]_{4812-her babies} and fierce rancours against [all enemies of pre‐Raphaelitism]_{4813-all enemies of pre‐raphaelitism} , hereditary , in virtue of [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} father]_{4143-her father} , [Andrew Saunders]_{290-andrew saunders} , in [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} family]_{3902-her family}]_{4811-a very lovable and laughable little woman , whose soul was divided between her babies and fierce rancours against all enemies of pre‐raphaelitism , hereditary , in virtue of her father , andrew saunders , in her family} , came punctually , marvellously attired in grey cashmere medieval garments , a garland of parsley and gilt oak‐leaves in [her]_{288-mrs spencer} handsome red hair . On seeing [Anne]_171-anne , who stood awaiting [her]_0-i by the fireplace , [she]_0-i could not repress an exclamation of admiration . “_[286-edith] Yes , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , unaccustomed to have [her]_171-anne looks admired at [Florence]_6-florence and at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz ; “_[286-edith] it is a very wonderful costume , is n’t it ? [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin designed it for [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i think it was so kind of [him]_145-hamlin ; do n’t [you]_0-i ? ” “_[0-i] Kind ? [I]_0-i see nothing kind about it . [Walter]_145-hamlin ” ( [she]_171-anne always spoke of [him]_145-hamlin thus familiarly , because [he]_145-hamlin had worked as a youth in [[[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} ’s studio]_{4817-her father ’s studio} ) “_[145-hamlin] is simply head over ears in love with [you]_0-i , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} . ” [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head . “_[145-hamlin] Oh no , ” [she]_0-i answered , with a sort of reasoned conviction , “_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin is merely very good to [me]_0-i , that ’s all — and perhaps [he]_145-hamlin likes [me]_0-i also , of course . But that ’s all . ” “_[0-i] [You]_0-i know nothing of [the world]_{496-the world} , [Annie]_171-anne ; and still less of [Walter]_145-hamlin . [He]_145-hamlin has never in [his]_145-hamlin life been fond of any one except when in love . [I]_0-i ’ve not known [him]_145-hamlin these fifteen years for nothing . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [you]_0-i are mistaken , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , quietly . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [you]_0-i are not aware , [[my]_0-i dear girl]_{1771-my dear girl} , that [you]_0-i are [the most beautiful woman [Walter]_145-hamlin has ever seen]_{1772-the most beautiful woman walter has ever seen} . ” [MISS BROWN]_171-anne felt very excited as [the brougham]_{4818-the brougham} drew up at [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s , and [they]_4819-they entered [[her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} large house]_{4820-her large house} , blazing with lights and crammed with flowers . [She]_171-anne followed [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} timidly up‐stairs ; but [the men who crowded [the landing]_{1205-the landing}]_{4821-the men who crowded the landing} never guessed that this majestic and imperturbable creature could possibly be nervous . At the top of the stairs , receiving [[her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} guests]_{4823-her guests} , an occupation ( called seeing [a few friends]_{1705-a few friends} ) which excluded [her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} from [her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} own drawing‐room the best part of the evening , was [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} , gorgeous in old lace and diamonds , and withal excessively vulgar . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am so glad to see [you]_0-i , [dear Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” [she]_0-i exclaimed to [Anne]_171-anne ’s astonishment , despatching [the other comers]_{4825-the other comers} with a mere frigid handshake . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do think it is so good of [you]_0-i to come . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i wanted to come . ” “_[0-i] [You]_0-i are such [a darling]_{1773-a darling} , ” went on [the fat Greek lady]_{4826-the fat greek lady} . “_[0-i] Come along — [I]_0-i have kept seats for [you]_0-i and [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} for the recitation . [Dear old Gosselin]_291-gosselin is going to recite for [us]_1774-us — [he]_291-gosselin is staying with [us]_1774-us . [I]_0-i beg [your]_0-i pardon”—this last remark was addressed to [a compact crowd of [ladies]_4135-ladies and [gentlemen]_{4829-gentlemen} on the threshold of the largest reception‐room , into which [the lady of [the house]_{509-the house}]_{4830-the lady of the house} summarily elbowed [her]_{4826-the fat greek lady} way]_{4827-a compact crowd of ladies and gentlemen on the threshold of the largest reception‐room , into which the lady of the house summarily elbowed her way} . “_[0-i] Follow [me]_0-i , ” [she]_0-i whispered , as [Anne]_171-anne , bewildered among the lights and noise , tried to pick [her]_171-anne way over the trailing skirts , and [every one]_{4712-every one} turned to stare as [she]_0-i passed—“Here_[0-i] , Euphrosyne”—perceiving one of [[her]_0-i big bouncing daughters]_{4833-her big bouncing daughters} in the crowd—“I_[0-i] want to introduce [you]_0-i to [Miss Brown]_171-anne . Do keep that chair to the left for [the Duchess of [Orkney]_85-orkney]_{1775-the duchess of orkney} — mind . ” [The spacious drawing‐room]_{4834-the spacious drawing‐room} was filled , as for a theatrical performance , with rows of chairs , wellnigh occupied already . Into the very first of these [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} led [Anne]_171-anne and [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} . “_{[1775-the duchess of orkney]} Sit down , ” [she]_0-i whispered . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do hope [you]_0-i ’ll enjoy [yourself]_0-i , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [You]_0-i ’ll hear [Gosselin]_291-gosselin beautifully here . Oh dear , there ’s [the dear Marchioness of [Epsom]_86-epsom]_{1776-the dear marchioness of epsom} ; goodbye”—and [she]_0-i whirled off [[her]_0-i portly person]_{4835-her portly person} . “_{[1776-the dear marchioness of epsom]} Goodness ! ” whispered [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , “_{[292-old argey]} [old Argey]_{292-old argey} has actually put [us]_1777-us into the best places ! ” [Anne]_171-anne looked round . In front was [a vacant space]_{4836-a vacant space} , with an open piano , and some chairs in a corner facing [the company]_{1514-the company} . All round and behind were chairs , and only a little gangway remained leading to the piano , next to where [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} had placed [Anne]_171-anne . [She]_0-i had never seen [such a crowd of magnificently and oddly dressed people in [her]_0-i life]_{4838-such a crowd of magnificently and oddly dressed people in her life} . [Old ladies in velvet and diamonds]_{4839-old ladies in velvet and diamonds} , [young ones in Worth toilets]_{4840-young ones in worth toilets} , or weirdly attired in lank robes and draperies , with garlands of lilies or turbans , or strings of sequins in [their]_{1781-the public} disorderly locks . “_{[292-old argey]} [I]_0-i scarcely know [any one]_{4101-any one} [here]_3884-here , ” said [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , looking round like a rapid little bird , “_{[292-old argey]} except [one or two artists]_{1724-one or two artists} — there are three or four R.A.’s — horrible creatures , to think [the public]_{1781-the public} is so wickedly infatuate as to buy [their]_{1781-the public} pictures ! Will [Englishmen]_{1782-englishmen} ever have any poetic feeling in art ? [Papa]_185-papa would rather die than be [an Academician]_{1783-an academician} . There ’s [little Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} — horrid little jackanapes — in the door . [That old flat‐faced man]_{1784-that old flat‐faced man} is [Lord Durrant]_{293-lord durrant} , [the critic]_{1785-the critic} . [All the frumpy people with the diamonds]_{1786-all the frumpy people with the diamonds} must be [peeresses]_{1787-peeresses} , [I]_0-i ’m sure . There ’s [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough just come in,—they’re all looking about for [somebody or other]_{1788-somebody or other} . There ’s [Browning]_294-browning talking to [old Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} . Oh , here ’s little Thaddy ! How do [you]_1789-you do , [Mr O’Reilly]_{1790-mr o’reilly} ? ” [Mr O’Reilly]_{4841-mr o’reilly} , [a callow critic who united æstheticism with frivolity]_{4842-a callow critic who united æstheticism with frivolity} , bowed , and cast curious glances at [Anne]_171-anne . For a moment [she]_171-anne felt horribly ungrateful about the dress . [She]_171-anne was sure that [little O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} was thinking that it was a night‐gown . “_[1789-you] Who ’s the lion to‐night ? ” asked [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} . [Mr O’Reilly]_{4843-mr o’reilly} fixed [his]_{4843-mr o’reilly} eyes on [Anne]_171-anne , and answered languidly , with a faint smile — “_{[288-mrs spencer]} Why , how can [you]_1789-you ask , [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ? Have [we]_1791-we not all been invited expressly to meet [Monsieur Gosselin]_291-gosselin and [[his]_291-gosselin charming friends]_{1792-his charming friends} , [the ladies from the French comedy]_{1793-the ladies from the french comedy} ? [No one]_{3899-no one} comes to see lions or lionesses [here]_3884-here , it is much too intellectual for that . ” “_{[3899-no one]} Do tell [me]_0-i who is the lion of to‐night , ” asked [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , laughing . “_{[3899-no one]} Have n’t [I]_0-i told [you]_1789-you that there never are lions [here]_3884-here ? only [an occasional man of genius]_{1797-an occasional man of genius} , shipped over fresh , between petroleum tins and sewing‐machines , from [America]_7-america , may stray in in top‐boots and a red flannel shirt — or it so happens that [a beautiful woman]_{1798-a beautiful woman} is first noticed [here]_3884-here — or [Victor Hugo]_{296-victor hugo} walks in quite casually to tea — or the ghost of [Byron]_276-byron mistakes this for [Westminster Abbey]_{87-westminster abbey} . Oh , [no lions]_{1800-no lions} , never . Besides , here is [Monsieur Gosselin]_291-gosselin , and here is [Mademoiselle Meringue]_{297-mademoiselle meringue} and [Madame Gauffre]_{298-madame gauffre} just come in . [You]_1789-you see , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , how perfectly true it is that [we]_1801-we are to meet [them]_1802-them . [They]_1802-them are taking [their]_1802-them place behind the piano . Yes , that is [Madame Gauffre]_{298-madame gauffre} with the diamond butterfly . [You]_1789-you perceive how [we]_1801-we are to have the pleasure of making [their]_1802-them acquaintance . Do [you]_1789-you remark the vacant space round [the piano]_{1803-the piano} ? [Miss Euphrosyne Argiropoulo]_{299-miss euphrosyne argiropoulo} and [[her]_{299-miss euphrosyne argiropoulo} sister]_{603-her sister} are alone privileged to enter [it]_{1803-the piano} , and [the waiters]_{1805-the waiters} also , to talk to [Monsieur Gosselin]_291-gosselin and [[his]_291-gosselin fair comrades]_{1806-his fair comrades} , and offer [them]_1802-them refreshments . It is what [I]_0-i call a moral cordon sanitaire , separating [these artistes]_{1807-these artistes} from [the highly respectable company]_{1808-the highly respectable company} all round . ” “_[1802-them] How horrible ! ” said [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[1802-them] and do [they]_1802-them pay [them]_1802-them to be insulted like that ? ” “_[1802-them] Pay [them]_1802-them ? oh , never . [The Argiropoulos]_{300-the argiropoulos} are far too delicate for that . [Monsieur Gosselin]_291-gosselin and [mesdames of the comedy]_{1809-mesdames of the comedy} are [intimate friends of [the house]_{509-the house}]_{1810-intimate friends of the house} : [they]_{1810-intimate friends of the house} have been dining [here]_3884-here , and [they]_{1810-intimate friends of the house} are so kind as to recite a piece or two to [[Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s guests]_{1813-mrs argiropoulo ’s guests} . Let [me]_0-i see — what ’s [he]_291-gosselin going to recite — ah—‘Un Beignet . ’ That will be delicious . ” [Gosselin]_291-gosselin had come forward , [his]_291-gosselin opera‐hat in [his]_291-gosselin hand , and begun to recite . It was a very delightful performance , and [Anne]_171-anne enjoyed it greatly . Besides , it was a great relief to find that this entertainment was a performance , and not as [she]_171-anne had dreaded , a series of introductions and conversations with [celebrities]_{1746-celebrities} . There was a dead silence during [Gosselin]_291-gosselin ’s recitation , except near the door , where [people]_577-people kept pressing in and out . When [he]_291-gosselin had ceased , [Anne]_171-anne looked round . [She]_171-anne was surprised at the aspect of [many of [the company]_{1514-the company}]_{4846-many of the company} . [They]_{4846-many of the company} had evidently not been listening at all , but looking about , straining to see [some one in the front rows]_{4848-some one in the front rows} . In a minute the little gangway leading to the piano was crowded . [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} , whom [she]_171-anne had met several times before , was elbowing [[his]_{256-posthlethwaite} unwieldy person]_{4849-his unwieldy person} — a Japanese lily bobbing out of the button‐hole of [his]_{256-posthlethwaite} ancestral dress‐coat — towards [her]_171-anne . [He]_{256-posthlethwaite} had scarcely begun a description of a picture which [he]_{256-posthlethwaite} had just seen , representing “_{[301-aphrodite]} [Aphrodite]_{301-aphrodite} tripping with pink little feet across [the dimpled sea sands]_{1814-the dimpled sea sands} , ” when [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} came up with [several gentlemen about [her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} , whom [she]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} began rapidly to introduce to [Anne]_171-anne]_{4850-several gentlemen about her , whom she began rapidly to introduce to anne} : two of [them]_{4850-several gentlemen about her , whom she began rapidly to introduce to anne} were [famous painters]_{4851-famous painters} ; [one a well‐known sculptor]_{4852-one a well‐known sculptor} ; another was [an aristocratic drawing‐room novelist]_{4853-an aristocratic drawing‐room novelist} ; [the fifth a man of fashion]_{4854-the fifth a man of fashion} . [They]_{4850-several gentlemen about her , whom she began rapidly to introduce to anne} all stood in the gangway around [Anne]_171-anne ’s chair , while [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} , who was [not the person to be ousted]_{4855-not the person to be ousted} , propped [his]_{256-posthlethwaite} elephantine person against the end of the piano , and leaning down [his]_{256-posthlethwaite} flabby flat‐cheeked face and mop of tow , continued conversing with [Miss Brown]_171-anne , regardless of [the new‐comers]_{4856-the new‐comers} , who exchanged smiles as [they]_{4856-the new‐comers} listened to [him]_{256-posthlethwaite} with much more amused attention than [they]_{4856-the new‐comers} had listened to [Gosselin]_291-gosselin . [Anne]_171-anne was very bewildered ; and as [she]_171-anne answered the remarks of [the party surrounding [her]_171-anne]_{4857-the party surrounding her} , [she]_171-anne became aware that [the people behind]_{4858-the people behind} were all looking in [her]_171-anne direction — looking , doubtless , at [Gosselin]_291-gosselin and [[his]_291-gosselin ladies]_{4859-his ladies} behind the piano , or at [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} . For a moment [Anne]_171-anne turned round , wondering whether [she]_171-anne should see [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . But instead of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [her]_171-anne eyes met a face as familiar as [his]_145-hamlin — a dark , rather snub face , with bushy black beard and hair , which emerged high above the heads of a knot of [literary and political celebrities]_{4860-literary and political celebrities} . [She]_171-anne started imperceptibly , but turned away , and looked towards the piano , where [Madame Gauffre]_{298-madame gauffre} had begun to recite , [her]_{298-madame gauffre} plump little black figure standing out against the moonlight flooding through the window , in strange contrast to the yellow light of [the room]_{574-the room} , in which dimly loomed the tops of trees and [the towers of [Westminster]_{88-westminster}]_{4862-the towers of westminster} . Could it be [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Dick]_229-dick ? [Anne]_171-anne rarely mistook [people]_577-people ’s faces , and least of all was it possible for [her]_171-anne to mistake [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s , though [she]_171-anne had not seen [him]_{223-richard brown} since that morning in [Florence]_6-florence . But what should [Richard]_{223-richard brown} be doing [here]_3884-here , in this fashionable party ? It was evidently a mere accidental resemblance , but it brought up a painful train of thought . [Anne]_171-anne had once or twice written to [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} and guardian from [school]_1094-school , in a formal cold way , and [he]_{223-richard brown} had let [her]_171-anne know that [he]_{223-richard brown} had become [a partner in [the military foundry]_{4869-the military foundry}]_{4868-a partner in the military foundry} , and had changed [his]_{223-richard brown} address . [She]_171-anne had got a vague idea that [he]_{223-richard brown} was now rich . But [she]_171-anne had not yet let [him]_{223-richard brown} know of [her]_171-anne arrival in [England]_37-england , and [she]_171-anne felt ungrateful and rather ashamed , for , after all , [he]_{223-richard brown} had always wished [her]_171-anne well , and had been [her]_171-anne playfellow . If [he]_{223-richard brown} should have thought that [she]_171-anne was ashamed of [him]_{223-richard brown} ? Heaven knows that was not [her]_171-anne feeling , but [she]_171-anne felt against [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} a vague , instinctive aversion , as to something insulting and degrading to [herself]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne determined , however , to write to [him]_{223-richard brown} the very next day . With a shrill exclamation and a pert curtsy , [Madame Gauffre]_{298-madame gauffre} , who was reciting the part of [a schoolgirl of fifteen]_{4870-a schoolgirl of fifteen} , suddenly came to an end . “_{[301-aphrodite]} How do [you]_1815-you do , [Annie]_171-anne ? ” said a voice behind [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne turned round . It was [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} . “_[1815-you] [I]_0-i saw [you]_1815-you as soon as [I]_0-i came in , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} said , calmly pushing aside [the astonished Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} , “_[1815-you] but [I]_0-i have only now been able to make [my]_0-i way here . How do [you]_1815-you like [Madame Gauffre]_{298-madame gauffre} ? do n’t [you]_1815-you think [she]_{298-madame gauffre} ’s delightful ? or rather , [I]_0-i ought to ask , how do [you]_1815-you like [London]_4-london ? ” The voice was always that same deep one , which , when lowered to a whisper , had something curiously hot and passionate about it ; but the accent and the easy worldly manner seemed as if they could not belong to [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} . “_[1815-you] Who [the deuce]_{4325-the deuce} is [that fellow]_{1817-that fellow} ? ” asked [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} angrily of [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} . “_{[4325-the deuce]} [I]_0-i do n’t know — [I’ve]_0-i never seen [him]_{1817-that fellow} . Do [you]_1815-you know , [Mr O’Reilly]_{1818-mr o’reilly} , who [that big black man]_{1819-that big black man} is , that has just come up to [Miss Brown]_171-anne . Not one of [our]_1820-our set , that ’s certain . ” “_[1815-you] Oh Lord , no ! ” answered [the little journalist]_{4871-the little journalist} . “_[1815-you] [You]_1815-you do n’t read newspapers in [your]_1815-you set , do [you]_1815-you ? ” “_[1815-you] [We]_1820-our always read the ‘ Athenæum , ’ ” answered [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , seriously . “_[1820-our] Newspapers are Cimmerian inventions , ” said [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’m [a republican , red , incarnadine]_{1821-a republican , red , incarnadine} , a démocrate for [Robespierre]_{302-robespierre} ; but [I]_0-i never take up a paper , except to see which of [[my]_0-i friends]_{1822-my friends} have left [town]_821-town . ” [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} laughed . “_[0-i] Oh , well , [you]_1815-you wo n’t find Education [Brown]_171-anne in the ‘ Athenæum , ’ [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} — [a mere barbarian , Goth , Philistine]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} , but well known in [Philistia]_89-philistia . [He]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ’s [a tremendous Radical]_{1825-a tremendous radical} , goes in for disestablishment , secular teaching ; [an awful fellow]_{1826-an awful fellow} for obligatory education and [paupers]_1827-paupers ; [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ’ll be in Parliament some day soon , for [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ’s backed by all the black trade . ” “_{[1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine]} Surely it is very easy to feed [paupers]_1827-paupers , as [people]_577-people used to , do n’t [you]_1815-you know , in [Chaucer]_90-chaucer ? ” said [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , simply and seriously . [Young O’Reilly]_{303-young o’reilly} went into an inaudible but convulsive giggle . “_[1815-you] Anyhow , that ’s Brown—‘Peace by [Expensive Warfare Brown]_{304-expensive warfare brown} ’ [we]_1830-we call [him]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} . Look at [him]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ; [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ’s a force in [[his]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} world]_{1831-his world} , as [[your]_1815-you father]_{3947-your father} is in [yours]_1815-you . ” “_{[1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine]} [I]_0-i wish [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ’d keep in [his]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} own coal‐cinders , ” retorted [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} . “_{[1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine]} What business has [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} to talk to — ” “_{[1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine]} By [Jove]_305-jove ! ” exclaimed [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} , “_[305-jove] it never struck [me,—Anne Brown]_{304-expensive warfare brown} — [Richard Brown,—perhaps]_{223-richard brown} [they]_1833-they ’re relations ! ” “_{[223-richard brown]} What do [you]_1834-you think of [her]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ? ” whispered [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} to [the little knot of artists whom [she]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} had assembled]_{4872-the little knot of artists whom she had assembled} . [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} , as usual , answered for [the company]_{1514-the company} . “_[1834-you] ’ Tis the body of [a goddess]_{759-a goddess} ; [we]_1836-we must give it the soul of [a woman]_{3960-a woman} . ” “_{[759-a goddess]} [That ’s Hamlin ’s look‐out]_{1838-that ’s hamlin ’s look‐out} , ” answered [Paints]_306-paints , the R.A. “_{[1838-that ’s hamlin ’s look‐out]} Why , what ’s become of [him]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ? ” [they]_1836-we all asked . “_{[1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine]} Surely [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} was to be here . ” “_{[1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine]} Oh , be sure [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} ’s lurking around here , ” answered [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} ; “_{[1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine]} of course [he]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} keeps in the background — enjoys [his]_{1824-a mere barbarian , goth , philistine} triumph from afar . [You]_1839-you do n’t sit in front of [your]_1839-you own picture on the first Academy day , do [you]_1839-you , Paints ? ” “_[1839-you] [Mr Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} , will [you]_{256-posthlethwaite} take [Miss Brown]_171-anne in to supper ? ” cried [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} , who was working up and down [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had already given [Anne]_171-anne [his]_{223-richard brown} arm . “_{[256-posthlethwaite]} That ca n’t be , ” cried [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} . “_{[256-posthlethwaite]} [Mr Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} must take [you]_{256-posthlethwaite} in , [dear]_4117-dear . [Dear Mr Brown]_{223-richard brown} , will [you]_{256-posthlethwaite} take in [[my]_0-i daughter]_{1841-my daughter} ? ” “_{[256-posthlethwaite]} Good‐bye , [Annie]_171-anne , ” whispered [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} . “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i will come and see [you]_171-anne to‐morrow . ” And [he]_{223-richard brown} let [[his]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{1267-his cousin} be borne away in triumph by [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} . “_{[256-posthlethwaite]} Of course , [Mr Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} must take in [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” explained [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} to [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ; “_{[256-posthlethwaite]} [he]_{256-posthlethwaite} ’s [the most conspicuous man]_{1842-the most conspicuous man} , after all ; and , as it were , it stamps [her]_171-anne at once . By the way , two R.A. ’s , [Paints]_306-paints and [Smeers]_307-smeers , have already said that [they]_1843-they would like to paint [her]_171-anne . ” “_[1843-they] [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin will never let [her]_171-anne be painted by [an R.A.]_{1844-an r.a.} , ” answered [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , fiercely ; “_[145-hamlin] and [Annie]_171-anne has far too much artistic feeling to endure such a thing . Why , [Mr Bones]_{308-mr bones} has been drawing [her]_171-anne for the last week , and papa made a crayon of [her]_171-anne . ” As [Anne]_171-anne passed through [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} on [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} ’s arm [every one]_{4712-every one} turned to look at [her]_171-anne . And then it suddenly flashed upon [her]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne was [the person people]_{4878-the person people} had been staring at , [she]_171-anne was [the lion of the evening]_{4879-the lion of the evening} — [she]_171-anne , [the servant whom [the great poet‐painter]_{4881-the great poet‐painter} had adopted]_{4880-the servant whom the great poet‐painter had adopted} . [Every one]_{4712-every one} was looking at [her]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne felt horribly alone , numb , unreal . At that moment [Hamlin]_145-hamlin came up . “_{[308-mr bones]} Have [you]_171-anne amused [yourself]_171-anne ? ” [he]_145-hamlin asked . “_[171-anne] Why , what ’s the matter ? do [you]_171-anne feel ill ? ” “_{[308-mr bones]} Only very tired . Oh , why did n’t [you]_171-anne turn up before ? ” [Anne]_171-anne ’s voice was so wretched and supplicating that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin felt quite terrified . “_[171-anne] Where ’s [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ? ” [he]_145-hamlin asked . “_{[288-mrs spencer]} It must be [that hot room]_{1845-that hot room} . [Edith]_286-edith , do take [Miss Brown]_171-anne [home]_4170-home , [she]_171-anne looks so awfully tired . ” “_[286-edith] Permit [me]_0-i to take [you]_171-anne down‐stairs , ” said the mellifluous fat voice of [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will take [Miss Brown]_171-anne down [myself]_0-i , if [you]_171-anne please , [Posthlethwaite]_{256-posthlethwaite} ; ” and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin pushed [the prince of æsthetes]_{4883-the prince of æsthetes} roughly aside . “_[171-anne] Why did [you]_171-anne not show [yourself]_171-anne the whole evening ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne feebly , while [he]_145-hamlin was helping [her]_171-anne on with [her]_171-anne cloak . “_[171-anne] Why — because — [I]_0-i thought [I]_0-i had no right to monopolise [you]_171-anne always , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin in a whisper . When [the two women]_{4884-the two women} were alone in the brougham , [Anne]_171-anne could stand it no longer ; and leaning [her]_171-anne head in the corner , [she]_171-anne began to cry . “_[0-i] Why , what ’s the matter , [Annie]_171-anne ? ” cried [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , drawing [her]_171-anne close to [her]_171-anne . “_[171-anne] What ’s the matter , [[my]_0-i dear girl]_{1771-my dear girl} ? ” “_[171-anne] Nothing — nothing , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , wiping [her]_171-anne eyes . “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i suppose it is because [I]_0-i am so worn‐out — so — ” “_[0-i] It ’s that vile , ostentatious party , ” replied [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} , half in consolation , half in pride—“mere_[171-anne] stupid crushes — no real society , as [we]_1848-we have it . And [I]_0-i do think it is so disgusting of [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} to make [all the people]_{1849-all the people} stare at [you]_1850-you as if [you]_1850-you were [a burlesque actress]_{1851-a burlesque actress} . Oh , [I]_0-i know that set of lion‐hunting , purse‐proud , would‐be [artistic people]_{1852-artistic people} . [They]_1853-they would have [your]_1850-you photograph in all the shop‐windows at once , and [Royal Highnesses]_{1854-royal highnesses} to meet [you]_1850-you . [Papa]_185-papa and [I]_0-i always wonder that [Walter]_145-hamlin has n’t cut all those horrid sycophants before . [You]_1850-you know that it ’s [only [artists]_1500-artists and [poets of [our]_1848-we school]_{1857-poets of our school} who will ever appreciate [you]_1850-you really , although [the others]_{881-the others} would hawk [you]_1850-you about as a sort of professional beauty]_{1855-only artists and poets of our school who will ever appreciate you really , although the others would hawk you about as a sort of professional beauty} . ” THE sudden discovery that [she]_0-i was the standard beauty of [the most prominent artistic set]_{4886-the most prominent artistic set} , and accepted as such by [the rest of society]_{4887-the rest of society} , would have greatly disturbed almost [any woman]_{1339-any woman} . But [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s nature was too completely homogeneous — too completely without the innumerable strata , and abysses , and peaks , and winding ways of [[modern women]_{4889-modern women} ’s characters]_{4890-modern women ’s characters} — for [her]_171-anne to experience any of the mixed feelings of pride , and disgust , and humiliation , and general uncomfortablehess which would have been the lot of a more complex nature . The atoms of [her]_171-anne character were not easily shaken into new patterns : it was coherent , and , like most coherent things , difficult to upset , slow to move , and quick to settle down . After the first shock of surprise , [she]_171-anne resigned [herself]_171-anne , without doubts , or diffidence , or elation , to [her]_171-anne new place . That [she]_171-anne was more beautiful than [other women]_{1523-other women} had indeed never occurred to [her]_171-anne before ; but once that it had been proved to [her]_171-anne [she]_171-anne accepted it as a fact , as [she]_171-anne had accepted as a fact the still stranger news that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had singled [her]_171-anne out to change [her]_171-anne life and love [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne did not take it at all as a merit or any other exciting thing in [herself]_171-anne : the only effect which it had upon [her]_171-anne was to strengthen a curious feeling , constitutional in [her]_171-anne , and resulting probably from the very coherence and weightiness of [her]_171-anne character , that [she]_171-anne was fated to be or do something different from [other women]_{1523-other women} — a sort of sense of tragic passiveness , which always formed the background of [her]_171-anne happiness . Moreover , the discovery which [she]_171-anne had made at [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s somehow made [Anne]_171-anne ’s position more intelligible and simple to [herself]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne had heard of [other men who had educated and married [girls of the lower orders]_{4894-girls of the lower orders} on account of [their]_{4894-girls of the lower orders} beauty]_{4893-other men who had educated and married girls of the lower orders on account of their beauty} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s behaviour was now no longer a mystery to [her]_171-anne ; and the absence of mystery served merely , to [Anne]_171-anne ’s quite unromantic , practically passionate , half‐southern temper , to make [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s nobleness and goodness more obvious to [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne had the curious Italian capacity for feeling an ideal passion — a passion which was merely a sublimated form of friendship and admiration — for a real personality ; and [her]_171-anne instinctive desire was merely to get nearer that real personality . But much as [she]_171-anne tried , the reality of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin seemed to escape and baffle [her]_171-anne : [he]_145-hamlin was [a complex man]_{4895-a complex man} , and [she]_171-anne [a homogeneous woman]_{4896-a homogeneous woman} ; and as [she]_171-anne could not see [Hamlin]_145-hamlin well in detail , [she]_171-anne loved [him]_145-hamlin in the very simple and broad outlines which [she]_171-anne was able to comprehend . Now that [she]_171-anne had settled down in æsthetic society , and found [her]_171-anne place , and got to understand the main points of things , [she]_171-anne was quite ideally happy . [Her]_171-anne life was very full , and was surrounded by a flood of love,—on [her]_171-anne side or on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s ? [She]_171-anne scarcely knew ; but [she]_171-anne knew that [she]_171-anne was happy . By this time the round of sight‐seeing , play‐going , excursions , and introductions , was over ; [her]_171-anne life had subsided into the normal . Its object , [she]_171-anne felt , as [one]_620-one feels a wholesome and agreeable desire for food or sleep , was to make [herself]_171-anne as worthy as possible of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , or rather to let [him]_145-hamlin find in [her]_171-anne the best possible bargain . [She]_171-anne worked very hard at all the things which [the school]_{1304-the school} had left incomplete,—at what , living in [that æsthetic society]_{4899-that æsthetic society} , seemed to [her]_171-anne the solid requisites of life . [She]_171-anne read history and biography and poetry , with the determination with which [other girls]_{4900-other girls} , anticipating marriage , might study manuals of domestic economy ; and [she]_171-anne worked at developing [her]_171-anne taste in art and music as [others]_4163-others might have practised cooking or dressmaking ; for these were the things which would be requisite in [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s spiritual household]_{4902-hamlin ’s spiritual household} . [The people around [her]_171-anne]_{4903-the people around her} , [the men and women of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s set]_{4904-the men and women of hamlin ’s set} , seemed to [her]_171-anne as necessary , as inevitable , as normal as the trees and [houses]_750-houses all round . Some of [them]_{4903-the people around her} [she]_171-anne liked , and some [she]_171-anne disliked ; but [their]_{4903-the people around her} ideas , though sometimes absurd caricatures , and [their]_{4903-the people around her} tempers , though often intolerable , seemed to [Anne]_171-anne quite natural and proper in the main , though rendered ridiculous or disagreeable in [individuals]_{4906-individuals} . Indeed [she]_171-anne got rather to believe in [imperfect individuals,—being]_{4907-imperfect individuals,—being} thus constantly either made cross by the touchiness , the morbidness , the disgusting fleshliness , the intolerance of [the æsthetes around [her]_171-anne]_{4908-the æsthetes around her} , or made to laugh by [their]_{4903-the people around her} affectations , [their]_{4903-the people around her} vanity , [their]_{4903-the people around her} inconsistency , [their]_{4903-the people around her} grotesque manias of wickedness and mysticism — while unable to judge or condemn the general , intellectual , and moral condition of which these individual excrescences were the result . [Some of [the people]_{871-the people}]_{4909-some of the people} were distinctly repulsive , or distinctly boring , or distinctly annoying to [her]_171-anne ; others , like [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} and [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} father]_{4143-her father} and [mother]_4664-mother and [sisters]_999-sisters , decidedly lovable ; others , like [little Chough]_248-chough , decidedly amusing and amiable : and [she]_171-anne took [them]_{4903-the people around her} as [they]_{4903-the people around her} came , but with the indifference of concentrated feeling ; for what did it matter whether [she]_171-anne cared for [them]_{4903-the people around her} , or [they]_{4903-the people around her} cared for [her]_171-anne , as long as [she]_171-anne was doing [her]_171-anne best to deserve [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? Meanwhile [Anne Brown]_171-anne read quantities of medieval and Elizabethan literature ; went with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin to see pictures and hear music ; studied [Dante]_180-dante and [Shakespeare]_{309-shakespeare} — the algebra and arithmetic , so to speak , of the æsthetic set — and even began , secretly , to work at a Greek grammar . Twice a‐week [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough came to practise [her]_248-chough accompaniments with [her]_171-anne ; and twice a‐week also , of an evening , [friends]_4095-friends dropped in at [the house at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith}]_{4915-the house at hammersmith} , when [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} would leave [[her]_{243-mrs macgregor} nephew]_{4784-her nephew} and niece , as [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} called [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} , to entertain [the guests]_{4917-the guests} . On other evenings [Anne]_171-anne would usually go to [the house of one of the set]_{4918-the house of one of the set} , where literature and art , and the faults of [friends , and the wrong‐headedness of the public]_{4919-friends , and the wrong‐headedness of the public} , were largely discussed ; music was made , [young long‐haired Germans on the loose performing]_{4920-young long‐haired germans on the loose performing} ; and [poets]_1628-poets , especially [the inexhaustible Chough]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} , would recite [their]_1628-poets compositions , perched on the arms of sofas , or stretched on the hearth‐rug ; while [the ladies]_{4923-the ladies} went to sleep , or pretended to do so , over the descriptions of the kisses of [cruel , blossom‐mouthed women , who sucked out [[their]_{4924-cruel , blossom‐mouthed women , who sucked out their lovers ’ hearts , bit their lips , and strewed their apartments with coral‐like drops of blood} lovers]_{4925-their lovers} ’ hearts , bit [their]_{4924-cruel , blossom‐mouthed women , who sucked out their lovers ’ hearts , bit their lips , and strewed their apartments with coral‐like drops of blood} lips , and strewed [their]_{4924-cruel , blossom‐mouthed women , who sucked out their lovers ’ hearts , bit their lips , and strewed their apartments with coral‐like drops of blood} apartments with coral‐like drops of blood]_{4924-cruel , blossom‐mouthed women , who sucked out their lovers ’ hearts , bit their lips , and strewed their apartments with coral‐like drops of blood} . [Most of these poets]_{4926-most of these poets} , as [Anne]_171-anne speedily discovered , were [young men of harmless lives]_{4927-young men of harmless lives} , and altogether unacquainted with [the beautiful , baleful ladies [they]_{4926-most of these poets} represented as sucking at [their]_{4924-cruel , blossom‐mouthed women , who sucked out their lovers ’ hearts , bit their lips , and strewed their apartments with coral‐like drops of blood} vitals]_{4928-the beautiful , baleful ladies they represented as sucking at their vitals} ; and [none]_4929-none was more utterly harmless than [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough . Instead of [the terrible Faustinas]_{310-the terrible faustinas} , [Messalinas]_{311-messalinas} , and [Lucretia Borgias]_{312-lucretia borgias} to whom [his]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} poems were addressed , [the poor little man]_{4930-the poor little man} had in [his]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} miserable home in [the north of [London]_4-london [a wife]_{4932-a wife} older than [himself]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} , often bedridden and always half crazy , who turned [the house]_{509-the house} in a sort of disorderly litter , neglected [[her]_{4932-a wife} children]_{746-her children}]_{4931-the north of london a wife older than himself , often bedridden and always half crazy , who turned the house in a sort of disorderly litter , neglected her children} , and vented on [[her]_{4932-a wife} husband]_{693-her husband} the most jealous and perverse temper ; but [the victim of [Venus]_{209-venus victrix}]_{4936-the victim of venus} , as [he]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} styled [himself]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} , nursed [her]_{4932-a wife} with absolute devotion , denied [himself]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} every gratification to allow [her]_{4932-a wife} [a servant]_{4125-a servant} and send [[his]_{4922-the inexhaustible chough} children]_{4938-his children} to [school]_1094-school , and made [all new‐comers]_{4940-all new‐comers} believe that [Mrs Cosmo Chough]_248-chough was [the most angelic invalid that [the world]_{496-the world} had ever seen]_{4941-the most angelic invalid that the world had ever seen} . [People in the set]_{4943-people in the set} had got accustomed to this fact , and treated [Chough]_248-chough merely as an amusing little caricature of genius ; but when [Anne]_171-anne understood the real state of the case , [she]_171-anne was deeply touched , and possessed with a violent desire to help [the little man]_{4944-the little man} . [He]_{4944-the little man} could not , indeed , restrain [his]_{4944-the little man} habit of alluding in pompous language to [Phryne]_314-phryne , Pasiphaë , La Belle Heaulmière , [Madame du Barry]_{315-madame du barry} , and all the most celebrated improprieties of all times and nations ; nor from discussing the most striking literary obscenities , from [Petronius]_{316-petronius} to [Walt Whitman]_{317-walt whitman} . But although at first surprised ( as [every one]_{4712-every one} was surprised and indeed shocked ) by [Anne]_171-anne ’s unblushing and quietly [resolute—“I]_{4946-resolute—“i[318-mr chough”—he]} think [you]_1859-you had better leave that subject alone , [Mr Chough”—he]_{318-mr chough”—he} became quite devoted to [Anne]_171-anne . When [he]_{4944-the little man} gave a set of lectures , in [[Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ’s house]_{4947-mrs spencer ’s house} , on what was nominally Elizabethan drama , but virtually the unmentionable play of [Ford]_319-ford , and [the ladies]_{4923-the ladies} dropped off one by one and merely laughed at [poor Cosmo]_248-chough ’s eccentricities , [Anne]_171-anne had the courage to sit out the performance , and to tell [Chough]_248-chough openly that [he]_{4944-the little man} ought to be ashamed of [himself]_{4944-the little man} for holding forth on such subjects — a proceeding which made [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s friends]_{4949-hamlin ’s friends} blame [Miss Brown]_171-anne for want of womanly feeling and prudishness alike ; and which put [Hamlin]_145-hamlin just a little out of temper , until [she]_171-anne answered [his]_{4944-the little man} unspoken censure by remarking , with a sort of Italian bluntness and seriousness , that [a woman of [her]_171-anne age]_{4950-a woman of her age} had no business not to understand the real meaning of such things , and understanding them , not to let [the poets]_{1623-the poets} know that [she]_171-anne would not tolerate [them]_1861-they . “_[1860-you] [You]_1860-you see , it enters into [their]_1861-they artistic effects , ” explained [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t like such things personally , but of course everything is legitimate in art . ” “_[1861-they] [They]_1861-they may be legitimate in art , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , sceptically , “_[1861-they] but [they]_1861-they sha n’t be legitimate in [my]_0-i presence . ” To return to [Chough]_248-chough . [Anne]_171-anne gradually became the confidant of the domestic difficulties , though not of the domestic shame , of [the little poet]_{4698-the little poet} ; and to [every one]_{4712-every one} ’s great astonishment , [she]_171-anne obtained [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s permission to have [one of [[Chough]_248-chough ’s little girls]_{4955-chough ’s little girls} at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith}]_{4954-one of chough ’s little girls at hammersmith} every Saturday till Monday , and tried to instil into [the miserable puny imps]_{4956-the miserable puny imps} some notion of how to behave and how to amuse [themselves]_{4956-the miserable puny imps} . “_[1860-you] [You]_1860-you are not going to take [that child]_{4205-that child} out in [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} with [you]_1860-you , surely ? ” asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , the first Sunday that [Maggy Chough]_320-chough spent at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} . “_[0-i] Of course [I]_0-i am , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [She]_{4205-that child} ’s [the daughter of [[your]_1860-you most intimate friend]_{1865-your most intimate friend}]_{1864-the daughter of your most intimate friend} ; surely [you]_1860-you ca n’t grudge [the poor little thing]_{1866-the poor little thing} some amusement . And [I]_0-i want [you]_1860-you to go with [us]_1867-us to [the Zoo]_{1868-the zoo} , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [I]_0-i ’m sure it ’s much more fascinating than [the Grosvenor]_{1869-the grosvenor} or [the Elgin rooms]_{1870-the elgin rooms} . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin smiled ; and next day made a crayon drawing of [Anne]_171-anne , [one of the dozens in [[his]_145-hamlin studio]_{1124-his studio}]_{4957-one of the dozens in his studio} , with [[Chough]_320-chough ’s child]_{4959-chough ’s child} ; but [he]_145-hamlin managed to make [Anne]_171-anne look mournfully mysterious , and [the child]_{660-the child} haggard and wild , so that [people]_577-people thought it represented [Medea]_321-medea and one of [the children of [Jason]_322-jason]_{4962-the children of jason} . So far [Anne]_171-anne ’s acquaintance were entirely limited to the æsthetic set ; but there were two exceptions . One was [a couple of sisters]_{4963-a couple of sisters} , [Mary]_323-mary and [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , who existed as it were on [the borderland]_{4964-the borderland} — [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} being [a sort of amateur painter with strong literary proclivities]_{4965-a sort of amateur painter with strong literary proclivities} ; the other was [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , who , after the meeting at [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s , called at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} , was politely received by [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with whom [he]_145-hamlin appeared quite reconciled , and talked on a variety of indifferent subjects , as if [Anne Brown]_171-anne had never been [[his]_145-hamlin ward]_{1230-his ward} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had apparently never appeared to [him]_{223-richard brown} in the light of [a slave‐buyer]_{4967-a slave‐buyer} and [seducer]_4968-seducer , and [all parties]_{1222-all parties} had apparently never been in any save [their]_{1222-all parties} present position . [Anne]_171-anne asked [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} to one or two of [their]_{1222-all parties} evenings : [he]_1871-he came , seemed to know [one or two people]_{4971-one or two people} slightly , and although professing profound ignorance of art , managed to interest [one or two of [the æsthetic brotherhood]_{4973-the æsthetic brotherhood}]_{4972-one or two of the æsthetic brotherhood} by developing [his]_1871-he views on the necessity of extending artistic training to [the lower classes]_{4974-the lower classes} . “_[1871-he] [He]_1871-he is n’t at all [a stupid man]_{1872-a stupid man} , [that cousin of yours]_{1873-that cousin of yours} , ” remarked [little Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ; “_{[1872-a stupid man]} and [I]_0-i do think [he]_1871-he is so right in wishing to give [poor people]_{1874-poor people} a taste of beauty . ” “_[1871-he] [I]_0-i ’m sure [we]_1875-we are [most of [us]_1875-we [poor people]_{1874-poor people}]_{1876-most of us poor people} , and do n’t always get a taste of anything else , [Edith]_286-edith , ” cried [[her]_286-edith father]_{4143-her father} , [the veteran painter in tempera]_{4976-the veteran painter in tempera} , who was [a fearful punster]_{4977-a fearful punster} . “_[286-edith] Oh papa , [you]_0-i know what [I]_0-i mean ; and [I]_0-i ’m sure art will gain ever so much . It ’s only what [Mr Ruskin]_{325-mr ruskin} has said over and over again , and [Mr Morris]_326-morris is always talking about . ” “_[326-morris] [Any one]_{4101-any one} is free to give [the lower classes]_{4974-the lower classes} that taste of beauty , as long as [I]_0-i am not required to see or speak to [the noble workmen]_{1880-the noble workmen} , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i hate all that democratic bosh . ” “_[178-watty] Oh , [I]_0-i know , [Watty]_178-watty ; [[your]_0-i ancestors]_{1881-your ancestors} kept negroes , and [you]_0-i would like to have [negroes]_1882-negroes [yourself]_0-i , ” said [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , hotly . “_[0-i] Heaven forbid ! [I]_0-i only ask to be left alone , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} [Edith]_286-edith , especially by [reformers]_{1884-reformers} . ” At any rate , [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was permitted to show [himself]_{223-richard brown} sometimes in æsthetic company . But [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} did not avail [himself]_{223-richard brown} much of the condescending permission to improve [his]_{223-richard brown} mind ; and neither at [[her]_286-edith own house]_{4978-her own house} ( for [people]_577-people always spoke of [[Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s house]_{4980-miss brown ’s house} now ) nor at the houses of [any of [[her]_286-edith friends]_{1459-her friends}]_{4981-any of her friends} would [Anne]_171-anne have had much opportunity of seeing [[her]_286-edith cousin]_{1291-her cousin} , had [he]_{223-richard brown} not , by a curious chance , been [a frequent visitor at [the house of [the Leigh girls]_{4986-the leigh girls}]_{4985-the house of the leigh girls}]_{4984-a frequent visitor at the house of the leigh girls} . [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} was , as already said , [a demi‐semi‐æsthete]_{4987-a demi‐semi‐æsthete} ; [she]_{324-mary leigh} had studied art in an irregular , Irish sort of way , and [she]_{324-mary leigh} had a literary , romantic kind of imagination , which fitted [her]_{324-mary leigh} rather for [an illustrator]_{4988-an illustrator} than [a painter]_{500-a painter} . [She]_{324-mary leigh} felt the incompleteness of [her]_{324-mary leigh} own endowment , in a gentle , half‐humorous , half‐sad way ; and the incompleteness of [her]_{324-mary leigh} own life — for [her]_{324-mary leigh} ideal of happiness was to travel about , to live in [Italy]_1-italy , and this [she]_{324-mary leigh} had cheerfully sacrificed to please [[her]_{324-mary leigh} sister]_{603-her sister} , whose only interests in life were school boards , and depauperisation , and ( it must be admitted ) a mild amount of flirtation with [young men of scientific and humanitarian tendencies]_{4991-young men of scientific and humanitarian tendencies} . Between [the sisters]_{4992-the sisters} there was perfect love , but not perfect understanding ; and [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , who felt a little lonely , a little shut into [herself]_{324-mary leigh} by [[her]_{324-mary leigh} younger sister]_{4993-her younger sister} , who was at once [a philosopher]_{4994-a philosopher} and [a baby in [her]_{324-mary leigh} eyes]_{4995-a baby in her eyes} , vented [her]_{324-mary leigh} imaginative and artistic cravings in a passionate admiration for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s strange and beautiful ward or fiancée , a kind of intellectual fervour which [Anne]_171-anne was as remarkable for inspiring as [she]_{324-mary leigh} seemed unable to inspire either ordinary liking or ordinary love : and as [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} likewise adored [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin in return thought [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} [a nice sort of girl]_{4996-a nice sort of girl} , [Anne Brown]_171-anne did what visiting and sight‐seeing and shopping was left to [her]_171-anne almost always in [[Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} ’s company]_{4997-mary leigh ’s company} . Now , if [Anne]_171-anne was [the idol of [the æsthetic Mary]_{4999-the æsthetic mary}]_{4998-the idol of the æsthetic mary} , [the humanitarian and practical younger sister]_{5000-the humanitarian and practical younger sister} , who , with the cut‐and‐dry decision of [a philosopher of twenty‐two]_{5001-a philosopher of twenty‐two} , looked upon æsthetics and æsthetes as somewhat pestilent in nature , had [[her]_{324-mary leigh} idol]_{5002-her idol} also in [a very different person]_{5003-a very different person} , and this was no other than [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , to be whose lieutenant in some of [his]_{223-richard brown} philanthropical and educational schemes was [Marjory]_249-marjory ’s highest ambition . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had , ever since meeting [[his]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{1267-his cousin} at [Mrs Argiropoulo ’s]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} in the character of [an artistic beauty]_{5005-an artistic beauty} , made up [his]_{223-richard brown} mind that [Anne]_171-anne was no concern of [his]_{223-richard brown} , and was luckily disposed of in the æsthetic set ; and for some time [he]_{223-richard brown} almost took a pleasure in making [her]_171-anne understand , whenever [he]_{223-richard brown} met [her]_171-anne at [[the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} ’ house in [Chelsea]_92-chelsea]_{5006-the leighs ’ house in chelsea} , that [he]_{223-richard brown} did not in the least expect [her]_171-anne to take an interest , or pretend to take an interest , in the plans which [he]_{223-richard brown} discussed with [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory . [Anne]_171-anne on the other hand , imbued with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s and [Chough]_320-chough ’s theory that all attempts at improving [the world]_{496-the world} result merely in failure , and that the only wise occupation of a noble mind is to make for itself a paradise of beautiful thoughts and forms and emotions , was extremely sceptical of [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ’s and [Marjory]_249-marjory ’s schemes , and once or twice declared [her]_171-anne disbelief with perfect openness . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was at first annoyed , then amused , then indignant ; and then , seeing how completely [Anne]_171-anne ’s ideas were borrowed from [her]_171-anne set , and also how completely unsuitable they were to [her]_171-anne downright , serious , and practical nature , [he]_{223-richard brown} determined , not without vanity playing a part as well as conviction , to “_{[1884-reformers]} let a little light , ” as [he]_{223-richard brown} expressed it , into [her]_171-anne mind . There had been recently founded , by [some friends of [his]_{223-richard brown}]_{5009-some friends of his} , a kind of club where [girls of the dressmaker ’s apprentice]_{5010-girls of the dressmaker ’s apprentice} and [shopwomen class]_{5011-shopwomen class} might spend [their]_{5010-girls of the dressmaker ’s apprentice} leisure moments in reading and meeting [each other]_{594-each other} ; which club , besides [a library]_{5013-a library} and reading‐room , offered to [[its]_5014-its members]_{5015-its members} a certain number of classes or sets of lectures on various subjects , delivered at a nominal price , after work hours . [The lecturers]_{5016-the lecturers} or [teachers]_{5017-teachers} were nearly [all young ladies]_{5018-all young ladies} : [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory had for some time lectured on sanitary arrangements ( this being [her]_249-marjory especial hobby ) , and [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} was going to set up a drawing‐class . [Anne Brown]_171-anne , practical by nature and æsthetically sceptical by training , had no very great belief in the famous club ; [she]_171-anne had been told so often that [mankind]_5019-mankind is too stupid and degraded to be helped , that [she]_171-anne had almost got to believe it . But [she]_171-anne let [herself]_171-anne be taken one evening to a lecture , at what [she]_171-anne called [[Marjory]_249-marjory ’s college]_{5020-marjory ’s college} . The lecture was just beginning as [they]_5021-them entered [the little , white‐washed , bare room up innumerable stairs]_{5022-the little , white‐washed , bare room up innumerable stairs} . [Four or five young women , decently dressed]_{5023-four or five young women , decently dressed} , were seated at desks , copy‐books and ink‐stands before [them]_5021-them ; and [a beautiful little girl , who had been pointed out to [Anne]_171-anne in æsthetic circles as [a rising poetess]_{5025-a rising poetess}]_{5024-a beautiful little girl , who had been pointed out to anne in æsthetic circles as a rising poetess} , was seated opposite [them]_5021-them at the end of a table . [The Leighs]_{327-the leighs} and [Anne]_171-anne sat down silently near the door , and the lecture began . It was on modern history . [The pupils]_{5026-the pupils} listened with the greatest attention , [their]_{5026-the pupils} pens flying on [their]_{5026-the pupils} copy‐books . [The lecturer]_{5027-the lecturer} , [a small , graceful , extremely frail little creature]_{5028-a small , graceful , extremely frail little creature} , began in a somewhat tremulous voice ; then gradually , as [she]_{5027-the lecturer} got more excited , became more voluble , excited , and absolutely eloquent . “_{[1884-reformers]} [She]_1885-she is too delicate for such work , ” whispered [Marjory]_249-marjory , “_[1885-she] but [she]_1885-she will do it . ” [Anne]_171-anne listened . But [she]_171-anne did not follow [the lecturer]_{5027-the lecturer} ’s argument very closely . [She]_1885-she thought what [these girls]_{1402-these girls} were , what the drudgery of [their]_{1402-these girls} work , the temptations of [their]_{1402-these girls} leisure , the hopeless narrowness of [their]_{1402-these girls} horizon ; and [she]_1885-she thought also , the thought throbbing on almost like dull pain , what it would have been for [her]_1885-she , when [she]_1885-she also was alone in [the world]_{496-the world} — when [she]_1885-she had drudgery on the one hand and temptation on the other — when [her]_1885-she whole nature had been parched and withered for want of a few words that should speak of higher and nobler things,—had [she]_1885-she been permitted , once a‐week , to come to such a place , to hear about such subjects , to be spoken to by such [an earnest and enthusiastic and exquisite creature as this]_{5032-an earnest and enthusiastic and exquisite creature as this} . At the end of the lecture [the girls]_{1418-the girls} crowded shyly round [the lecturer]_{5027-the lecturer} , [some]_5035-some to beg [her]_{5027-the lecturer} to explain a point , [others]_4163-others to ask for books on the subject , all of [them]_{1418-the girls} to thank with pathetic earnestness . Then [they]_{1418-the girls} went away , and [the Leigh girls]_{4986-the leigh girls} came forward to [the lecturer]_{5027-the lecturer} . From where [she]_1885-she sat [she]_1885-she could not see [the new‐comers]_{4856-the new‐comers} ; and [she]_1885-she was astonished , and in a way awe‐stricken , on seeing [Anne Brown]_171-anne , the exotic beauty of whom [she]_1885-she had heard so much , whose portrait [she]_1885-she had seen in so many studios , and to whom [she]_1885-she had been introduced almost in fear and trembling , for [Anne]_171-anne had a kind of awe‐inspiring fascination for [imaginative people]_{5040-imaginative people} . [Anne]_171-anne , on the other hand , was silent and depressed , and [the little poetess]_{5041-the little poetess} must have made up [her]_171-anne mind that [this magnificent and sombre creature]_{5042-this magnificent and sombre creature} was as sullen and lethargic and haughty as [one of [[Michelangelo]_{328-michelangelo} ’s goddesses]_{5044-michelangelo ’s goddesses}]_{5043-one of michelangelo ’s goddesses} . But in reality [Miss Brown]_171-anne could have laid [her]_171-anne head on one of the desks and cried like [a child]_{623-a child} . When , the following day , [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} came to take [her]_171-anne out for a walk , [Anne]_171-anne looked as if [she]_171-anne had received bad news , or as if [she]_171-anne had bad news to communicate . [She]_0-i answered only in monosyllables ; until , as [they]_1886-you were looking in at a shop window , [she]_0-i suddenly turned to [[her]_0-i companion]_{5046-her companion} . “_[1885-she] Do [you]_1886-you think , ” [she]_0-i said hesitatingly , “_[1886-you] that [I]_0-i might perhaps — teach something at [[Marjory]_249-marjory ’s college]_{5020-marjory ’s college} ? ” “_[1886-you] Teach ! ” exclaimed [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} in astonishment ; “_[1886-you] [you]_1886-you teach ! Why , what would [you]_1886-you teach , [Anne]_171-anne dear ? ” [Anne]_171-anne was silent . [She]_171-anne sighed . “_[1886-you] That ’s just what [I]_0-i have been thinking all the morning — [I]_0-i fear — but [you]_1886-you see [I]_0-i do so want to teach something . [You]_1886-you see , [that little poet‐girl]_{1888-that little poet‐girl} gives up [her]_{1888-that little poet‐girl} time to it , and [she]_{1888-that little poet‐girl} was born [a lady]_{3943-a lady} , and does n’t know — can’t know — all the good [she]_{1888-that little poet‐girl} is doing . While [I]_0-i — ” [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} squeezed [her]_0-i hand . “_[0-i] [We]_1890-we will ask [[your]_1886-you cousin]_{4341-your cousin} , ” [she]_{324-mary leigh} said . “_[1890-we] Oh no , not [Dick]_229-dick — don’t mention it to [Dick]_229-dick , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[229-dick] [he]_229-dick is sure to make difficulties and laugh at [me]_0-i — [he]_229-dick thinks [me]_0-i a useless thing . ” “_[229-dick] [You]_1892-you a useless thing ! ” replied [the enthusiastic Irish girl looking at [[her]_{5047-the enthusiastic irish girl looking at her companion} companion]_{5046-her companion}]_{5047-the enthusiastic irish girl looking at her companion} . “_[229-dick] Why , then — then all the Titians in [the gallery]_{1893-the gallery} , and [the Elgin]_{329-the elgin} marbles , and all [Keats]_239-keats , and all [Shelley]_238-shelley , and [Beethoven]_{330-beethoven} , and [Mozart]_331-mozart , must be useless also . ” [Anne]_171-anne sighed . “_[331-mozart] All those things did n’t make [themselves]_{1894-themselves} , ” [she]_171-anne answered . “_[331-mozart] It ’s [the artists who were useful]_{1895-the artists who were useful} and whom [we]_1896-we have to thank . ” [The other Miss Leigh]_{332-miss leigh} was immensely astonished , and , with [her]_{332-miss leigh} youthful intolerance , rather indignant at [Anne]_171-anne ’s suggestion . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , hesitatingly , “_[0-i] that [I]_0-i could , with a little work , manage medieval literature — at least medieval lyrics . ” [Marjory]_249-marjory shook [her]_249-marjory head . “_[0-i] There ’s too much of that sort of thing already , ” [she]_249-marjory said . “_[0-i] [Every one]_{4712-every one} wants to teach literature . Where ’s the use of telling [them]_{4712-every one} about a parcel of Provençal and old French and German and [Italian people]_{1898-italian people} , when [they]_{4712-every one} do n’t yet know the difference between [Voltaire]_333-voltaire and [Molière]_334-molière , and [Goethe]_240-goethe and [Frau von Hillern]_{335-frau von hillern} ? ” “_{[335-frau von hillern]} That ’s true , ” [Anne]_171-anne said sadly . [Marjory]_249-marjory was rather sorry for [her]_249-marjory rough practicalness , but at the same time [she]_249-marjory had a blind impulse to harass [an æsthete]_{1257-an æsthete} . “_{[335-frau von hillern]} Political economy is what [we]_1899-we want most , ” [she]_249-marjory said ; and , as the door opened and [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} entered , [she]_249-marjory went on — “_{[335-frau von hillern]} Is n’t it true that political economy is what [we]_1899-we want most at [the college]_{1900-the college} , [Mr Brown]_{223-richard brown} ? ” “_{[223-richard brown]} Yes , ” answered [Richard]_{223-richard brown} . “_{[223-richard brown]} How are [you]_{223-richard brown} , [Miss Leigh?—how]_{336-miss leigh?—how} are [you]_{223-richard brown} , [Annie]_171-anne ? What about it ? ” “_{[223-richard brown]} Oh , only that [[your]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4341-your cousin} wants to teach at [the college]_{1900-the college} , and [I]_0-i tell [her]_{4341-your cousin} that literature is no use , and that political economy is what [we]_1899-we want . ” “_{[223-richard brown]} [You]_{223-richard brown} want to teach , [Annie]_171-anne ? ” cried [Brown]_171-anne , and [his]_229-dick face assumed that look of somewhat brutal contempt hidden under suavity of manner , which [Anne]_171-anne hated so much . “_{[223-richard brown]} [You]_{223-richard brown} want to teach ? How dull æsthetic society must be getting , to be sure ! ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am not dull , [Dick]_229-dick , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , sternly ; “_[229-dick] but it struck [me]_0-i that , having been [a poor girl without education]_{1903-a poor girl without education} [myself]_0-i — until ” ( and [she]_0-i looked [[her]_0-i cousin]_{1291-her cousin} reproachfully in the face ) “_[145-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin had [me]_0-i taught — [I]_0-i have an obligation to help [other girls]_{4900-other girls} like what [I]_0-i was , greater than the obligation of [people who have always been educated]_{1905-people who have always been educated} . [I]_0-i daresay there may be nothing that [I]_0-i can teach ; but there is no reason to laugh at [me]_0-i . ” “_[229-dick] Laugh at [you]_229-dick ! ” cried [Brown]_171-anne . “_[229-dick] Oh , not in the least ! [I]_0-i was only smiling at the cool way in which [you]_229-dick absolve [those who are born in fortunate circumstances]_{1906-those who are born in fortunate circumstances} from the obligation which [you]_229-dick [yourself]_229-dick feel . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t think that ’s quite true , [Dick]_229-dick , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , simply . “_[229-dick] [You]_229-dick think it ’s absurd on [my]_0-i part , and [I]_0-i knew [you]_229-dick would , because [you]_229-dick think [me]_0-i frivolous and artistic . ” “_[229-dick] Well , ” said [Brown]_171-anne , evidently surprised at [her]_0-i manner , and looking searchingly in [her]_0-i pale , strange‐featured face , “_[229-dick] what do [you]_229-dick think [you]_229-dick might teach?”—his voice was much gentler . “_[229-dick] At present”—Anne ’s voice sank , for [she]_0-i felt the uselessness of [her]_0-i offer—“I_[229-dick] can think only of medieval literature ” ( [Brown]_171-anne smiled ) ; “_[229-dick] but perhaps , if there were something else , [I]_0-i might get it up . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’m sure there wo n’t be a vacancy for anything except political economy , ” interrupted [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , impatiently . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’m quite positive , from what [the secretary]_{1907-the secretary} told [me]_0-i , all the rest is glutted . ” “_{[1907-the secretary]} [I]_0-i fear it is the case , ” mused [Brown]_171-anne . “_[0-i] There has been a talk of teaching singing,—in which case , perhaps — ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t sing well enough , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , haughtily . Why was [she]_0-i always having [her]_0-i æstheticism thrust in [her]_0-i face ? “_[0-i] Besides , ” added [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} , “_[0-i] it ’s extremely improbable . ” [They]_5052-they fell to talking of other things . As [Brown]_171-anne was leaving , [Anne]_171-anne stopped [him]_5053-him . “_[0-i] Tell [me]_0-i , ” [she]_0-i said , “_[0-i] what are the best books to begin learning political economy ? ” [Brown]_171-anne smiled . “_[0-i] Why ? Do [you]_0-i want to teach it ? ” “_[0-i] Since it is such an important thing , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , gravely , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [I]_0-i should like to learn it . ” “_[0-i] It ’s not amusing , [Annie]_171-anne . ” “_[171-anne] It ca n’t be duller than [Minnesingers]_{337-minnesingers} — and nothing is dull when [one]_620-one is learning it . Ca n’t [you]_0-i tell [me]_0-i of some books ? ” [Brown]_171-anne looked at [her]_171-anne with a puzzled expression . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have written a primer of it [myself]_0-i , ” [he]_5054-he said—“I_[0-i] will send it [you]_171-anne ; and if [you]_171-anne get through that , [you]_171-anne will find at the end a list of text‐books , some of which [I]_0-i can lend [you]_171-anne to take into — ” “_[0-i] Thank [you]_0-i , [Dick]_229-dick . [I]_0-i shall be much obliged to [you]_0-i . ” “_[0-i] [You]_171-anne shall have it this evening . Goodbye , [Annie]_171-anne , and felici studj , as [you]_171-anne Italians say . ” [He]_5054-he laughed , and went away . “_[171-anne] [You]_171-anne ’ll find it tough work , ” remarked [Marjory]_249-marjory , shaking [her]_249-marjory short mane of hair out before the glass ; “_[171-anne] but , of course , a primer is never very difficult . ” WHEN [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} had gone up‐stairs to rest before dinner on [their]_5055-their arrival at [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin took [Miss Brown]_171-anne round [the huge , deserted‐looking house , which [[his]_145-hamlin grandfather]_{5057-his grandfather} had built on returning from [Jamaica]_93-jamaica]_{5056-the huge , deserted‐looking house , which his grandfather had built on returning from jamaica} . [It]_{5056-the huge , deserted‐looking house , which his grandfather had built on returning from jamaica} was like [an Italian villa]_{5058-an italian villa} , with [vaulted rooms]_{5059-vaulted rooms} , gilded and stuccoed , marble floors , and terraced windows ; the furniture was all of the Napoleonic period ; nothing could be more dignified or sadder . When [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had shown [her]_171-anne [the large drawing‐rooms]_{5060-the large drawing‐rooms} , [the library]_{4639-the library} , [the room which had been [the play‐room]_{5063-the play‐room} when [he]_145-hamlin was [a child]_{623-a child}]_{5062-the room which had been the play‐room when he was a child} , [he]_145-hamlin took [Anne]_171-anne into [the large Palladian hall]_{5065-the large palladian hall} , and showed [her]_171-anne the innumerable portraits of [ladies]_4135-ladies and [gentlemen in armour , and ruffs , and bobwigs , and powder]_{5067-gentlemen in armour , and ruffs , and bobwigs , and powder} , hanging all round — [[his]_145-hamlin ancestors]_{5068-his ancestors} ever since [[his]_145-hamlin family]_{5069-his family} had left [England]_37-england in the civil wars . [Anne]_171-anne looked at [them]_5070-them shyly . [They]_5070-them were mostly indifferently painted and vapid — affected , like all old portraits by [mediocre painters]_{5071-mediocre painters} ; but it seemed to [her]_171-anne that in [most of [these gentlemen]_{5073-these gentlemen}]_{5072-most of these gentlemen} , with peaked beards on [their]_{5072-most of these gentlemen} Vandyck lace , or horse‐hair wigs , or carefully powdered hair tied back in silk bags , [she]_171-anne could recognise a resemblance to [the man by [her]_171-anne side]_{5074-the man by her side} — [the same delicate , handsome features , the same fair , almost beardless complexion]_{5075-the same delicate , handsome features , the same fair , almost beardless complexion} , the same gentle , melancholy , slightly ironical expression : and never did the real meaning of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s marriage with [her]_171-anne come clearer before [her]_171-anne mind than when , in [that silent hall]_{5076-that silent hall} , surrounded by all those portraits of [[his]_145-hamlin ancestors]_{5068-his ancestors} , [she]_171-anne suddenly saw [herself]_171-anne and [him]_145-hamlin reflected in one of the long dim mirrors ; [she]_171-anne , so tall and strong , so powerful of bone and muscle , with [her]_171-anne strange , half‐southern , half‐Jewish , and almost half‐Ethiopian beauty , by the side of [that slight , fair , pale , aristocratic man]_{5078-that slight , fair , pale , aristocratic man} , with features sharp like those of a high‐bred race‐horse , nervous and wistful and dreamy , as if [he]_145-hamlin were tired of [[his]_145-hamlin family]_{5069-his family} having lasted so long . “_[1909-they] [They]_1909-they all married and intermarried for nearly a century , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[1909-they] that ’s why [they]_1909-they ’re all so like [each other]_{594-each other} . [I]_0-i often wonder why it did n’t end in insanity — [you]_1911-you see it has ended in [a poet]_{498-a poet} at last . [[My]_0-i mother]_{3900-my mother} was [the first woman married by [a Hamlin]_{1915-a hamlin} for eighty years who was not at least a second cousin,—in [those islands]_{1916-those islands}]_{1914-the first woman married by a hamlin for eighty years who was not at least a second cousin,—in those islands} there were [very few decent people]_{1917-very few decent people} , [you]_1911-you see . Do n’t [they]_{1917-very few decent people} all look dapper and respectable ? It appears [they]_{1917-very few decent people} were not . [That man in the corselet]_{1918-that man in the corselet} was killed in a duel about [[another man]_{4053-another man} ’s wife]_{1920-another man ’s wife} . [That one in the middle]_{1921-that one in the middle} , [the boy in the grey dress with the powdered hair]_{1922-the boy in the grey dress with the powdered hair} , [Sir Thomas Hamlin]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} , [they]_1909-they used to call [the bad Sir Thomas]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} , because [he]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} amused [himself]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} practising pistol‐shooting on [black people]_{1923-black people} , whom [he]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} had put all round [[his]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} yard]_{1924-his yard} ; [he]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} was [a very fine gentleman]_{1925-a very fine gentleman} , [they]_1909-they say , and would go out only in the evening on account of [his]_{338-sir thomas hamlin} complexion . [The one who looks like a woman , with the open shirt‐collar and the long hair]_{1926-the one who looks like a woman , with the open shirt‐collar and the long hair} , was [[my]_0-i great‐uncle]_{1927-my great‐uncle} , [Mordaunt Hamlin]_144-hamlin , who supposed [himself]_144-hamlin to be [a poet , somewhere in the first years of this century]_{1928-a poet , somewhere in the first years of this century} ; [he]_144-hamlin was [an opium‐eater]_{1929-an opium‐eater} , and did some horribly disgraceful things , [I]_0-i do n’t exactly know what , and was poisoned , [they]_1909-they say , by [some low woman]_{1930-some low woman} , because [she]_{1930-some low woman} was tired of [him]_144-hamlin . [[My]_0-i father]_{3904-my father} had [his]_{3904-my father} portrait removed ; but [I]_0-i used to see it in [the lumber‐room]_{1932-the lumber‐room} when [I]_0-i was [a child]_{623-a child} , and thought [him]_{3904-my father} very handsome and eery ; and when [I]_0-i came of age , [I]_0-i had it brought down , because [I]_0-i think [he]_{3904-my father} ’s far better‐looking and more interesting than any of [the respectable ones]_{1934-the respectable ones} . Then [he]_{3904-my father} was [a poet]_{498-a poet} also , [you]_1936-you see , and [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough pretends [I]_0-i ’m like [him]_{3904-my father} . Do [you]_1936-you think so , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ” “_[1936-you] No , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , laughing , as [she]_171-anne looked at [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , at that noble and delicate face , which seemed to [her]_171-anne the noblest and most beautiful in [the world]_{496-the world} ; and yet , when [she]_171-anne looked at [Mordaunt Hamlin]_144-hamlin again , with [[his]_144-hamlin morbid woman]_{5081-his morbid woman} ’s face and [his]_144-hamlin effeminate bare throat , [she]_171-anne could not help feeling a certain disgust at the thought that perhaps — perhaps — [Hamlin]_144-hamlin was just a little like [him]_144-hamlin . “_[1936-you] That ’s [[my]_0-i mother]_{3900-my mother} , ” said [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , pointing to a faded crayon of [a beautiful , gentle , pathetic‐looking woman]_{5082-a beautiful , gentle , pathetic‐looking woman} . “_{[3900-my mother]} That is like [you]_0-i , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , delighted . “_[0-i] That is very like [you]_0-i — like [your]_0-i expression . [I]_0-i was wondering where [you]_0-i got [your]_0-i expression from among all [[your]_0-i Jamaica ancestors]_{1938-your jamaica ancestors} . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’m glad [you]_0-i think so . [She]_{3900-my mother} was [a very beautiful woman]_{1939-a very beautiful woman} , and very brave and noble , and not very happy , [poor mamma]_{1940-poor mamma} . ” “_{[3900-my mother]} Did [you]_0-i know [her]_{3900-my mother} ? ” “_[0-i] Only till [I]_0-i was about twelve ; [she]_{3900-my mother} died young . That is [grandpapa]_{1941-grandpapa} ; and that is [[my]_0-i uncle]_{1942-my uncle} [Arnold,—he]_{339-arnold,—he} died young too — in fact , drank [himself]_{339-arnold,—he} to death . Do n’t [you]_0-i think [he]_{339-arnold,—he} is like [Mordaunt Hamlin]_144-hamlin ? That ’s [papa]_3893-papa ; ” and [Hamlin]_144-hamlin stopped before the full‐length of [a handsome effeminate man]_{5083-a handsome effeminate man} . “_[3893-papa] [You]_0-i would n’t think that [he]_{339-arnold,—he} was [a very violent man]_{1944-a very violent man} , would [you]_0-i ? ” [he]_144-hamlin said . “_[0-i] No , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , looking at that weak , worn , rather blear face , and thinking how [[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} , too , had been [a drunkard]_{5085-a drunkard} ; but how different had been the drunkenness of [the poor overworked mechanic]_{5086-the poor overworked mechanic} , so industrious and gentle and high‐spirited when [he]_{339-arnold,—he} was sober , from the sort of emasculating vice of [Mordaunt]_144-hamlin and [Arnold Hamlin]_340-arnold , of [[Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s bad‐faced father]_{5087-walter hamlin ’s bad‐faced father} ! “_[0-i] It ’s very curious , ” pursued [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with a sort of psychological interest in [[his]_145-hamlin own family]_{5088-his own family} , “_{[1950-the mother]} how [that [Mordaunt]_144-hamlin , who , after all , was [no ancestor of [mine]_1947-you]_{1946-no ancestor of mine} , tries everywhere to perpetuate [himself]_144-hamlin . There ’s unfortunately no portrait of [[my]_0-i great‐grandfather]_{1948-my great‐grandfather}]_{1945-that mordaunt , who , after all , was no ancestor of mine , tries everywhere to perpetuate himself . there ’s unfortunately no portrait of my great‐grandfather} , or perhaps [we]_1949-we might understand it ; but perhaps it came from [the mother]_{1950-the mother} . It ’s curious [I]_0-i have never felt any inclination to drink — [I]_0-i mean , however moderately ; but [I]_0-i ca n’t take any wine at all — it makes [me]_0-i drunk at once . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i never have seen [you]_1947-you take any wine , by the way , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . “_[1947-you] [I]_0-i tried opium once ; but [Chough]_248-chough made [me]_0-i give it up . It ’s sad to be denied any sort of unreal pleasures , do n’t [you]_1947-you think ? That ’s [[my]_0-i brother]_{1951-my brother} and [I]_0-i when [we]_1952-we were [boys]_1953-boys . ” [Anne]_171-anne stopped to look at the picture . It was very well painted , though a trifle old‐fashioned . [The two boys]_{5089-the two boys} were represented in shooting‐jackets , with guns and dogs . [The shorter , slighter , and paler boy]_{5090-the shorter , slighter , and paler boy} was evidently [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; [the other]_{1030-the other} was more robust , boyish , and ordinary‐looking . “_[0-i] [[Your]_1947-you brother]_{4292-your brother} died when [he]_{4292-your brother} was [a child]_{623-a child} , did [he]_{4292-your brother} not ? ” “_{[4292-your brother]} Oh no , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , quickly . “_{[4292-your brother]} [Poor Arnold]_341-arnold — was very fond of shooting — [I]_0-i hated it ; but [papa]_3893-papa had the picture painted on [his]_3893-papa account ; [he]_341-arnold was the favourite at first , being younger . ” It seemed to [Anne]_171-anne that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was going to say something different from what [he]_145-hamlin had said . What had become of [Arnold Hamlin]_340-arnold ? [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s allusions to [him]_340-arnold , who had evidently been [[her]_{243-mrs macgregor} favourite nephew]_{5092-her favourite nephew} , always seemed to point to a melancholy end . “_[341-arnold] It ’s curious , ” said [Hamlin]_340-arnold , after a moment . “_[341-arnold] [Arnold]_340-arnold looked so jolly and strong when [he]_340-arnold was [a child]_{623-a child} ; and yet , later , [he]_340-arnold got such a look of [[our]_1958-our grand‐uncle [Mordaunt]_144-hamlin]_{1959-our grand‐uncle mordaunt} . ” “_[144-hamlin] [I]_0-i think [you]_1960-you have [your]_1960-you grand‐uncle on the brain , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , trying to break through [Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s strange mood . [They]_1958-our left [the hall]_{550-the hall} , and went to the window of [the large drawing‐room]_{5094-the large drawing‐room} , and looked out on the reddening beeches and the grass , permitted to grow high and thick , in the yellow sunlight . “_[1960-you] [I]_0-i shall sell [this place]_{1961-this place} most likely soon , ” said [Hamlin]_144-hamlin ; “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’ve already had some offers for [it]_{1961-this place} . [It]_{1961-this place} ’s too large , and pompous , and characterless for [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i should like [a real old country‐house]_{1962-a real old country‐house} , two or three centuries old , with flower‐gardens and panelled rooms,—not this plaster and stucco and romantic gardening . Besides , [I]_0-i hate [this place]_{1961-this place} — have hated [it]_{1961-this place} ever since [I]_0-i was [a child]_{623-a child} . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i hate [this place]_{1961-this place} , ” went on [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , leaning on the window‐sill by [Anne]_171-anne ’s side , “_[0-i] and that is the reason why [I]_0-i have brought [you]_1966-you [here]_3884-here . Before saying farewell to [it]_{1961-this place} for good and all , [I]_0-i wish to save [it]_{1961-this place} from being a mere hateful recollection in [my]_0-i life . [I]_0-i wish to be able to think of it in connection with [you]_1966-you ; ” and [he]_144-hamlin looked up at [Anne]_171-anne , who was leaning against the tall French window . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t know , ” went on [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , again looking out at the vaporous yellow sunset horizon — “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t know what are destined to be the relations between [our]_1968-our lives . [You]_1966-you have seen too little of [the world]_{496-the world} as yet to be able to know [yourself]_1966-you and [me]_0-i ; and [I]_0-i am more and more decided to abide by [my]_0-i original plan of giving [ourselves]_1968-our time to understand [each other]_{594-each other} , and to understand whether [we]_1968-our are made for [one another]_{1971-one another} . . . . ” [He]_144-hamlin looked at [Anne]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne had turned an ashy‐white as [she]_171-anne listened ; [she]_171-anne had thought that [Hamlin]_144-hamlin loved [her]_171-anne , and now . . . [He]_144-hamlin noticed it , and understood , but pretended not to understand ; [he]_144-hamlin enjoyed playing upon [a living soul]_{5095-a living soul} , all the more upon a soul like this one , slow to respond to [his]_144-hamlin touch , with low and long‐sustained vibrations , like those of some deep‐toned instrument . “_[0-i] Do n’t take what [I]_0-i say in bad part , ” [he]_144-hamlin went on , conscious to [himself]_144-hamlin that [he]_144-hamlin was speaking the truth , and at the same time that [he]_144-hamlin was acting , telling it at a moment and in a manner which made it untruthful ; “_[0-i] and do n’t think that [I]_0-i mean anything horrid against [you]_1972-you or against [myself]_0-i , when [I]_0-i say that [you]_1972-you do n’t yet know [me]_0-i , and will not know [me]_0-i , perhaps , for some time . [You]_1972-you see [me]_0-i through [your]_1972-you own nature , [your]_1972-you own enthusiasms , [your]_1972-you own aspirations ; [you]_1972-you think [I]_0-i am strong where [I]_0-i am weak , and pure where [I]_0-i am impure . ” [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t think so . ” [Hamlin]_144-hamlin smiled sadly . “_[0-i] But [I]_0-i do . It ’s very sad to think that [one]_620-one must lose so much that is worth most in life , all [one]_620-one ’s illusions , before [one]_620-one can approach the reality of even [one]_620-one ’s best friends,—that even [one ’s best friends]_{1977-one ’s best friends} can be seen as [they]_{1977-one ’s best friends} really are only when [we]_1978-we have got disillusioned and disappointed , is it not ? ” [Hamlin]_144-hamlin had often said things like these in the letters which [he]_144-hamlin used to write to [her]_171-anne , and had hinted , much more clearly , at weaknesses and basenesses which [she]_171-anne would some day recognise in [him]_144-hamlin . It could not occur to [Anne]_171-anne , whose character was so completely of a piece , that there was any untruthfulness in this mode of speaking , any more than [she]_171-anne could believe that [Hamlin]_144-hamlin could be correct in thus speaking of [himself]_144-hamlin . The sort of shimmer , as of the two tints in a shot stuff , of reality and unreality , of genuine and affected feeling , of moods which came spontaneously and of other moods , noticed , treasured up , reproduced in himself,—which existed in [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , would be perfectly unintelligible to [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i daresay , ” [she]_0-i answered gravely , “_{[503-a man]} that [you]_1979-you have faults , in which , at present , [I]_0-i can not believe ; but those faults are not the ones which [you]_1979-you imagine . When [a man]_{503-a man} knows [himself]_{503-a man} to have a fault , [he]_{503-a man} ceases to have it — [he]_{503-a man} cures it . ” A sensation of a new experience passed through [Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s mind as [Anne]_171-anne said this : it seemed so strange , pathetic , grand , to [him]_144-hamlin — who knew [himself]_144-hamlin to be for ever mixing up the unrealities of [his]_144-hamlin art with the realities of [his]_144-hamlin life , to be continually experimenting upon [himself]_144-hamlin the moods of [his]_144-hamlin poetry — that [any one]_{4101-any one} should seriously think thus , should not know that when [a man]_{503-a man} recognises in [himself]_{503-a man} a fault , [he]_{503-a man} may , so far from eradicating , cherish it stealthily . “_{[503-a man]} [You]_1979-you have asked [me]_0-i not to be angry with [you]_1979-you for telling [me]_0-i that [I]_0-i am inexperienced and can not yet know [my]_0-i own mind , ” said [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[1979-you] do n’t be angry and do n’t laugh at [me]_0-i if [I]_0-i tell [you]_1979-you that [I]_0-i think [you]_1979-you do n’t always know [yours]_1979-you . [I]_0-i have often observed how imaginative [you]_1979-you are about [yourself]_1979-you , how apt to fancy morbid things ; [I]_0-i suppose it is because [poets]_1628-poets are always turned inwards , and because [you]_1979-you have not perhaps been very happy sometimes , and because”—and [she]_0-i looked at [him]_1979-you half laughing , half with the tears in [her]_0-i eyes—“you_[1628-poets] are very good . [I]_0-i daresay [I]_0-i do n’t know [you]_1979-you thoroughly yet , but [I]_0-i know [you]_1979-you — [I]_0-i know [I]_0-i know [you]_1979-you — better sometimes than [you]_1979-you do ; because [you]_1979-you fancy all sorts of horrid mysterious flaws in [your]_1979-you character wherever there is a little inequality ; and [I]_0-i know how good and noble [you]_1979-you are , and how [you]_1979-you are always thinking that [you]_1979-you must be wicked . ” [Hamlin]_144-hamlin did not answer . [He]_144-hamlin was deeply touched , touched all the more because [he]_144-hamlin knew how little [she]_1979-you guessed at the self‐conscious unreality of so much of [him]_144-hamlin . “_[1979-you] [You]_1979-you are very comforting , ” [he]_144-hamlin said sadly , then went on more cheerfully : “_[1979-you] well , what [I]_0-i wanted to say , when [we]_1982-we began to discuss which of [us]_1982-we knew [the other]_{1030-the other} better , is this,—that whatever [we]_1982-we may be destined to be to [one another]_{1971-one another} in future — and this [I]_0-i dare not decide even in surmise — [you]_1979-you will always have been to [me]_0-i , in these years that [I]_0-i have known [you]_1979-you , in the past and present , an infinite source of happiness and good ; a something which to have possessed , as [I]_0-i possess [your]_1979-you friendship , will always remain , even should all the reality come to an end and only the recollection remain , the most precious thing in [my]_0-i life . ” [He]_144-hamlin had taken [her]_1979-you hand , and playing with [her]_1979-you strong shapely fingers , so much stronger and less delicate , though not less shapely than [his]_144-hamlin own , looked with a kind of solemnity into [her]_1979-you face . [Anne]_171-anne could not answer , for if [she]_171-anne did , [she]_171-anne knew [she]_171-anne must cry ; [she]_171-anne felt the tears , as it were , all through [her]_171-anne nature ; [she]_171-anne seemed to see , [she]_171-anne knew not why , but as a solemn certainty , that things could never go any further , that [Hamlin]_144-hamlin was prophesying the inevitable future : and yet , in the midst of this quite inexplicable , unreasonable sense of loss and resignation , there was a deep happiness which [she]_171-anne had never before felt , the happiness of the present ; a something new to [Anne]_171-anne , though [all other lovers]_{5098-all other lovers} have felt the happiness of possession of [one another]_{1971-one another} , even at the moment of loss . “_[171-anne] It is getting chilly , ” said [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , and shut the window . “_[171-anne] [You]_1985-you look very pale , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; had [you]_1985-you not better put on some warmer dress this evening ? ” [His]_144-hamlin voice seemed like the curtain dropping after a scene , or the chord at the end of a duet . It was a return to reality and prose . “_[1985-you] Perhaps [I]_0-i had better , and [I]_0-i ought to go and see after [[your]_1985-you aunt]_{1756-your aunt} ; good‐bye for the present . ” [Hamlin]_144-hamlin strolled out into [the terrace]_{5100-the terrace} , and lit a cigarette ; the past and present , [his]_144-hamlin real and unreal self , [Anne]_171-anne , [[his]_144-hamlin brother]_{5101-his brother} and [father]_5102-father , [[his]_144-hamlin great‐uncle Mordaunt]_{5103-his great‐uncle mordaunt} — all went cloudily through [his]_144-hamlin brain . [He]_144-hamlin was very happy . Love to [him]_144-hamlin was not what it was to [other men]_{1485-other men} , not what [he]_144-hamlin had tried it [himself]_144-hamlin in former years . It was romance , but romance not of ladders and hairbreadth escapes , but of psychical conditions , of spiritual sensations . [He]_144-hamlin had written fleshly poetry and passionate poetry , but [no one]_{3899-no one} could be less fleshly or less passionate than [Hamlin]_144-hamlin : the ‘ Vita Nuova’—if it could be made modern , and the parts altered and reversed — unreal reality of love , had been [his]_144-hamlin ideal , and [he]_144-hamlin had got it . [They]_5106-they had many conversations like this one . [Hamlin]_144-hamlin never so much as kissed [Anne]_171-anne ’s hand , never told [her]_171-anne that [he]_144-hamlin loved [her]_171-anne , spoke merely of [himself]_144-hamlin , of [her]_171-anne , of the future and the past , of what [she]_171-anne would one day know , of what [he]_144-hamlin would one day feel ; and [Anne]_171-anne listened seriously , trying to cure [him]_144-hamlin of [his]_144-hamlin despondency and morbidness , trying to persuade [him]_144-hamlin of [his]_144-hamlin own worth and of [her]_171-anne clear‐sightedness , while never a suspicion crossed [her]_171-anne simple stern mind that all this earnest talk , which was so tragic and still so delightful , was the thing which [she]_171-anne scornfully connected with whispers and kisses and nonsense,—in one word , love‐making . [THEY]_5106-they remained about a fortnight completely solitary in [the large house]_{5107-the large house} . [Hamlin]_144-hamlin was finishing a poem and correcting the proofs of [his]_144-hamlin next volume . [Anne]_171-anne was continuing [her]_171-anne usual literary studies , but now with the addition of some books and pamphlets on political economy , which had been incredulously lent [her]_171-anne by [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} . [The two young people]_{5108-the two young people} had never seen so much of [one another]_{1971-one another} , and [they]_{5108-the two young people} were , [Hamlin]_144-hamlin in [his]_144-hamlin dreamy manner , [Anne]_171-anne in [her]_171-anne serious , practical way , very happy . [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} went on reading [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} old‐fashioned freethinking books , and giving out cynical remarks , which [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} amiable and utterly gullible character deprived of all weight . [She]_{243-mrs macgregor} was [the elder and considerably older sister of [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s mother]_{5111-hamlin ’s mother}]_{5110-the elder and considerably older sister of hamlin ’s mother} , and had lived in [the house]_{509-the house} for many years as [a widow]_{5113-a widow} . [She]_{243-mrs macgregor} had been twice married , each time for love , and each time to [men who , if one might trust [[her]_{243-mrs macgregor} nephew]_{4784-her nephew} , had been immediately reduced by [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} into [the most devoted and timid slaves]_{5116-the most devoted and timid slaves}]_{5114-men who , if one might trust her nephew , had been immediately reduced by her into the most devoted and timid slaves} ; yet [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} always spoke of marriage as if every misfortune of [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} existence was due to it . Imbued with the pseudo‐scientific and somewhat anti‐social philosophy of early deism ( though [herself]_{243-mrs macgregor} [a rigid stickler for decorum )]_{5117-a rigid stickler for decorum )} , [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} had a way of talking of love and marriage which for some time had made [poor Anne]_171-anne profoundly miserable : [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women , averred [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} , were , whatever [they]_5121-they might pretend to the contrary , entirely at the mercy of [their]_5121-they animal passions,—to suppose that [any one]_{4101-any one} successfully resisted [them]_5121-they was sheer folly ; marry [people]_577-people must , but marriage was the most unfortunate of all necessities , the beginning of all unhappiness , the end of all independence , self‐respect , and pleasure in life ; it was the long waking up from a disgraceful delusion ; yet this disgraceful delusion , this drunken condition called love , was ( always according to [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ) the one beautiful and poetical thing in [the world]_{496-the world} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t believe that [all people]_{1987-all people} are like that , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ” [Anne]_171-anne would often exclaim indignantly . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} [I]_0-i do n’t believe that [all people]_{1987-all people} marry from unworthy passion , just to wake up and find its unworthiness . [I]_0-i am sure that if love were such a vile thing , and marriage such a mistake , [every man or woman with any self‐respect and self‐restraint]_{1989-every man or woman with any self‐respect and self‐restraint} would refuse both . ” “_[0-i] Oh , [[my]_0-i dear child]_{4448-my dear child} , ” [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} would answer with a smile , “_[0-i] wait till [you]_{4448-my dear child} are a little older and see what a disgusting thing life is . ” “_[0-i] If it is , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , feeling quite nauseated and terrified , and at the same time resolute in [herself—“if]_{5125-herself—“if[247-aunt claudia]} it is , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , it is because [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women are mostly such [wretched , weak , silly , base , puling creatures]_{1993-wretched , weak , silly , base , puling creatures} . ” Then , when [she]_171-anne saw [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , and thought of the noble way in which [he]_144-hamlin had acted towards [her]_171-anne , of the calm and clear love and gratitude which [she]_171-anne felt towards him,—when [she]_171-anne thought of the things which [they]_5126-they talked about together , of the desire to become worthier with which [his]_144-hamlin love had inspired [her]_171-anne , of the greater trust in [his]_144-hamlin own worthiness which [she]_171-anne hoped [her]_171-anne love was instilling into [him,—nay]_{5127-him,—nay} , when [she]_171-anne looked at that thoughtful , delicate , almost diaphanous face of [his]_144-hamlin , [Anne]_171-anne ’s anger towards [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} would turn into mere pity ; [she]_171-anne would merely , in [her]_171-anne own certainty of worthiness , smile at what [she]_171-anne now considered as the mere empty talk of a disgusting school of thought , or , at best , as the lamentable generalisations from [a horribly exceptional family]_{5129-a horribly exceptional family} , such as [she]_171-anne understood , vaguely , that of [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s father]_{5130-hamlin ’s father} to have been . And , for the rest , [Anne]_171-anne believed that though [people]_577-people were very ridiculous , and affected , and mean in little matters ( [she]_171-anne was thinking of [the Spencers]_{342-the spencers} , and [the Saunders]_{290-andrew saunders} , and so many other of [[her]_171-anne æsthetic friends]_{5132-her æsthetic friends} ) , and although [they]_577-people might also , like [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , make the mistake of thinking indecent things interesting and dramatic , [the vast majority of mankind]_{5133-the vast majority of mankind} and [womankind]_{4255-womankind} was really very pure , and generous , and loving at bottom . So , after a time , [she]_171-anne listened to [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s remarks with only a little habitual and instinctive annoyance , but without any kind of serious belief in them . And when [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} would sometimes allude to the bad lives which had been led in [this particular house]_{5135-this particular house} — to the vices ( taking them quite as ordinary matters ) of [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s grandfather]_{5136-hamlin ’s grandfather} and [father]_5102-father and [uncles]_5138-uncles , of the neglect and violence which [[her]_171-anne sister]_{603-her sister} , [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s mother]_{5111-hamlin ’s mother} , had suffered from , hinting that , if [one]_620-one only knew , the self‐same things were happening in every other family on earth,—whenever there came any such allusions , [Anne]_171-anne would carefully , as it were , close up these loopholes into a past , in which [she]_171-anne scarcely believed and from which [she]_171-anne shrank : [the world]_{496-the world} seemed to [her]_171-anne as good , and healthy , and strong , and easy to understand as [herself]_171-anne . But while [she]_171-anne did thus , [Anne]_171-anne was so gentle and sympathising to [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , that [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} was never hurt by [her]_171-anne contradictions ; indeed [she]_{1153-the old lady} would sometimes say that , were [she]_{1153-the old lady} not persuaded that no law of nature can have any real exceptions , [she]_{1153-the old lady} would almost believe that [Anne]_171-anne was quite different from [any other woman that ever was]_{5144-any other woman that ever was} . It seemed somehow , here all alone in [this ancestral home of [Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s]_{5145-this ancestral home of hamlin ’s} , as if the fate which [Hamlin]_144-hamlin had refused to forestall was working itself happily out ; and as if , tacitly , [the poet‐painter]_{5146-the poet‐painter} and [the girl whom [he]_144-hamlin had educated]_{5147-the girl whom he had educated} were becoming affianced to each other . None of the outward ceremony was broken through ; [he]_144-hamlin was always [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and [she]_{1153-the old lady} [Miss Brown]_171-anne , and there was never an allusion permitted to any more intimate relations . But it seemed perfectly natural that [he]_144-hamlin and [she]_{1153-the old lady} should go walks together ; that [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} should leave [them]_5148-they alone at breakfast and luncheon ; and that , when [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} had retired to [[her]_{1153-the old lady} room]_{1374-her room} , [they]_5148-they should remain , with brotherly and sisterly ease , though not brotherly and sisterly free‐and‐easiness , talking together of an evening . And as [they]_5148-they talked , [their]_5148-they plans seemed constantly to merge ; that [they]_5148-they should be separated never occurred to either ( except when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was in one of [his]_145-hamlin tragic moods ) , although not a word passed to settle [their]_5148-they future together . The long courtship , the long enjoyment of a ceremonious and unfettered love , was what [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had wished for , and what [he]_145-hamlin had ; to a fixed future , a family and family affections , [he]_145-hamlin was not [the man to look forward]_{5151-the man to look forward} ; it would have to come , and [he]_145-hamlin did not feel any dislike for it , but [he]_145-hamlin gave it no thought . As to [Anne]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne had never made up [her]_171-anne mind that [she]_171-anne had a right to be [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} ; to have thought so for one moment would have seemed to [her]_171-anne grasping ingratitude ; and [she]_171-anne was too happy in the present to think about the future . The thing to be thought of was to become worthy of [him]_145-hamlin , that was all . BY the middle of the summer a perfect colony from [æsthetic [London]_4-london]_{5153-æsthetic london} had settled itself , to the amazed terror of [the vicar]_{5154-the vicar} and [[his]_{5154-the vicar} parishioners]_{5155-his parishioners} , in [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} and [the inn of [the adjacent village]_{5157-the adjacent village}]_{5156-the inn of the adjacent village} . [The Spencers]_{342-the spencers} came , with [a perfect shipload of babies]_{5158-a perfect shipload of babies} , and accompanied by [[Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ’s father]_{5159-mrs spencer ’s father} and [mother]_4664-mother ; [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough came , bringing scarcely any luggage except [MS]_5161-ms . poems and old music ; [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} came , and [half‐a‐dozen young poets]_{5162-half‐a‐dozen young poets} and [painters]_521-painters , to name whom would be perfectly superfluous , and who were [all the humble worshippers of [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin]_{5164-all the humble worshippers of walter hamlin} . [All these people]_{4775-all these people} had pictures to paint , poems to compose , articles to write ; but the exciting question for [the whole household]_{5166-the whole household} was the approaching publication of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s new book . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s acquaintance with [Anne Brown]_171-anne had not been without a decided influence on [his]_145-hamlin art . [He]_145-hamlin had written a number of sonnets about [her]_171-anne ever since the moment of [their]_5167-their first meeting , recording various moods , real and fictitious , in connection with [her]_171-anne , and of which [he]_145-hamlin had sent or read [her]_171-anne the greater number . Perhaps [he]_145-hamlin would have written much the same sort of thing about [any other woman]_{5168-any other woman} ; but [Anne]_171-anne had influenced [him]_145-hamlin at once more directly and more indirectly . The æsthetic school of poetry , of which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [Chough]_248-chough were [the most brilliant exponents of the younger generation]_{5169-the most brilliant exponents of the younger generation} , was evidently running to seed . It was beginning to be obvious , to [every one who was not [an æsthete]_{1257-an æsthete}]_{5170-every one who was not an æsthete} , that the reign of the mysterious evil passions , of [the half‐antique , half‐medieval ladies of saturnine beauty and bloodthirsty voluptuousness of the demigods]_{5172-the half‐antique , half‐medieval ladies of saturnine beauty and bloodthirsty voluptuousness of the demigods} and [heroes treated like the figures in a piece of tapestry]_{5173-heroes treated like the figures in a piece of tapestry} , must be coming to a close ; and that a return to nature must be preparing . [Anne]_171-anne had felt it , and had vaguely determined that [the man who was to revolutionise poetry]_{5174-the man who was to revolutionise poetry} was [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . Indeed , who else could it be ? [The elder poets]_{5175-the elder poets} were safe in [their]_{5175-the elder poets} ruts ; the majority of [the younger ones who had already come forward]_{5176-the younger ones who had already come forward} were [mere imitators and caricaturists]_{5177-mere imitators and caricaturists} , not excepting the great Chough [himself]_248-chough . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin alone was [a man of genius]_{5178-a man of genius} ; [he]_145-hamlin alone was capable of turning over a new leaf ; and one or two new departures , attempts at a new way of describing things , if not actually an attempt at describing new things , persuaded [Anne]_171-anne that the change was beginning . [She]_171-anne did not like telling [him]_145-hamlin that [she]_171-anne perceived it coming ; for [she]_171-anne thought that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin might , did [he]_145-hamlin perceive it , consider it as an apostasy from [[his]_145-hamlin original school]_{5179-his original school} , and draw back . But [she]_171-anne encouraged [him]_145-hamlin by showing a marked preference for the pieces which savoured of this new style ; and [she]_171-anne even suggested to [him]_145-hamlin to write a tale , in which [he]_145-hamlin should substitute , for the conventional background copied by æsthetic poetry from the borders of missals , the pictures of [old masters]_{5180-old masters} and of [[their]_{5180-old masters} French gods]_{5181-their french gods} , [Gautier]_343-gautier and [Baudelaire]_{344-baudelaire} , the scenery of [[his]_145-hamlin own home]_{5182-his own home} , [the wide commons]_{5183-the wide commons} , [the beech‐woods on [the downs]_{5185-the downs}]_{5184-the beech‐woods on the downs} , [the solemn horizons of [the fenny country]_{5187-the fenny country} which spread from [Wotton]_94-wotton to [the sea]_{4271-the sea}]_{5186-the solemn horizons of the fenny country which spread from wotton to the sea} . [He]_145-hamlin had written it , and read it to [her]_171-anne during that fortnight of solitude ; and [Anne]_171-anne ’s heart had beat at the thought of the change which was to be wrought by [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s new book — of [the unknown youths hitherto fumbling vainly for a new style]_{5189-the unknown youths hitherto fumbling vainly for a new style} , who were to recognise in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin the leader of [a new school]_{5190-a new school} , [the prophet of a new art]_{5191-the prophet of a new art} . When [the colony of [London]_4-london æsthetes]_{5192-the colony of london æsthetes} arrived at [Wotton]_94-wotton , the new poem was solemnly read to [them]_{5192-the colony of london æsthetes} . [They]_{5192-the colony of london æsthetes} were all seated in [the old‐fashioned library]_{5193-the old‐fashioned library} , the rows and rows of old novels and books of standard literature , the busts of ancient philosophers looking down upon [them,—a]_{5194-them,—a} quaint little assembly of [ladies in peacock‐blue and dull sage and Japanese dragoned and medieval brocaded gowns , with slashed sleeves and limp tails]_{5195-ladies in peacock‐blue and dull sage and japanese dragoned and medieval brocaded gowns , with slashed sleeves and limp tails} — of [men]_4644-men got up to look like [Frenchmen]_{5197-frenchmen} or [Germans]_5198-germans , or Renaissance creatures , in wondrous velveteens , colonred almost like the bindings of [their]_{5192-the colony of london æsthetes} own books . [They]_{5192-the colony of london æsthetes} listened with considerable attention , and obvious impatience to interrupt . [The first who did so]_{5199-the first who did so} was [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} . “_[145-hamlin] Why , [Walter]_145-hamlin ! ” [she]_{288-mrs spencer} exclaimed indignantly , “_[145-hamlin] what possesses [you]_145-hamlin ? are [you]_145-hamlin crazy ? Why , [you]_145-hamlin are going in for realism ; do [you]_145-hamlin know that ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t see any particular realism , [Edith]_286-edith , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , testily . “_[286-edith] Come , now , it is n’t [Zola]_95-zola , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , ” said [[her]_{4237-my dear} father]_{4143-her father} , [a good‐natured man , who never carried [his]_{4143-her father} belief in [himself]_{4143-her father} to the length which it was carried to by [[his]_{4143-her father} family]_{5069-his family}]_{5201-a good‐natured man , who never carried his belief in himself to the length which it was carried to by his family} . “_[95-zola] No , it is n’t [Zola]_95-zola , ” cried [Miss Spencer]_{346-miss spencer} ; “_[95-zola] but it ’s worse than [Zola]_95-zola . . . . ” ( “_[95-zola] It ’s just the decentest thing [I]_0-i ’ve heard for many a long year , ” murmured [the old painter]_{5203-the old painter} . ) “_[95-zola] It ’s worse than [Zola]_95-zola , because it ’s poetry and not prose , because it ’s English poetry , because it ’s poetry by [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who has hitherto been [an apostle of beauty , and is now basely turning apostate and going over to ugliness]_{1995-an apostle of beauty , and is now basely turning apostate and going over to ugliness} . ” There was a slight laugh at [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ’s vehemence , in which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin alone did not join . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t think there ’s anything actually ugly in it , ” put in [Chough]_248-chough , blandly . “_[0-i] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin could never write anything ugly . But it is certain that there ’s a want of idealism in it , a want of that exotic perfume which constitutes the essence of poetry . [I]_0-i think it ’s an unfortunately chosen subject . . . . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think it ’ s perfectly disgusting , ” gobbled out [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , [the little rickety poet , who had to be carried up and down stairs]_{5204-the little rickety poet , who had to be carried up and down stairs} , and who wrote , while slowly sinking inch by inch into the grave , about carrying off [lovely girls]_{5205-lovely girls} , and throttling [them]_{5205-lovely girls} in the fierceness of [his]_{347-dennistoun} love . “_[0-i] Did [you]_1996-you notice about [the heroine]_{1997-the heroine} washing [the children]_{3862-the children} ? [I]_0-i call that beastly , beastly . And then , [I]_0-i do n’t know how [any man]_{1338-any man} can write a poem about [people who are in love and get married]_{2000-people who are in love and get married} . ” This seemed an unanswerable piece of criticism . [Anne]_171-anne alone leaned across the table ; [she]_171-anne was very indignant . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think , ” [she]_0-i said , “_[0-i] that there is much more poetry in people who love [each other respectably , and respectably get married]_{2001-each other respectably , and respectably get married} , than in all the nasty situations which [modern poets]_{2002-modern poets} write about . ” [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough looked at [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} looked at [[Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ’s father]_{5159-mrs spencer ’s father} . “_[0-i] [[My]_0-i dear young lady]_{2003-my dear young lady} , ” cried [the old painter]_{5203-the old painter} in [his]_{5203-the old painter} broad Scotch , “_[3893-papa] d’ye ever know [any of [these gentlemen]_{5073-these gentlemen}]_{2004-any of these gentlemen} write a poem about [people who did any single respectable thing]_{2006-people who did any single respectable thing} ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i wonder [you]_0-i can talk like that , [papa]_3893-papa , ” silenced [[his]_{5203-the old painter} daughter]_{5208-his daughter} , whose zeal for [him]_{5203-the old painter} and [[his]_{5203-the old painter} school]_{5209-his school} included timely snubbings for [himself]_{5203-the old painter} . “_[0-i] Well , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , [I]_0-i privately think with [Miss Brown]_171-anne that there ’s nothing more poetic than a gude , [bonnie lass of [a wife]_{4932-a wife}]_{2009-bonnie lass of a wife} , and [I]_0-i do n’t wonder a bit at [Walter]_145-hamlin being of that opinion . But then , of course , [I]_0-i ’m not [a poet]_{498-a poet} . ” “_[0-i] It ’s that washing of [the children]_{3862-the children} which troubles [me]_0-i , ” reflected [Chough]_248-chough , “_{[3862-the children]} and [their]_{3862-the children} being married . Do n’t [you]_2013-you think , now , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , that [you]_2013-you might just alter a little , and make it appear that [they]_{3862-the children} were n’t married ? ” “_[2013-you] Only put [a husband of the lady]_{2014-a husband of the lady} in the distance , ” suggested [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} , laughing . “_{[2014-a husband of the lady]} Thank [you]_2013-you , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , affecting to laugh , “_[2013-you] [your]_2013-you suggestion is most happy , and most characteristic . [You]_2013-you are always full of original ideas — all of [you]_2013-you , ” and [he]_145-hamlin looked bitterly round . [Chough]_248-chough felt the rebuke and was silent . But [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , who was gasping , propped up in [his]_{347-dennistoun} chair , was furious . “_[2013-you] It ’s not a question of an alteration here or there , ” [he]_{347-dennistoun} gobbled out ; “_{[348-wordsworth]} it ’s the whole tone of the poem which is pestilent . It ’s [Wordsworth]_{348-wordsworth} pure and simple , that ’s what it is . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin rolled up [his]_145-hamlin MS . [He]_145-hamlin was very white . The others [he]_145-hamlin did not mind , but [this little rickety Dennistoun , whose poems were the most limited and the most hopelessly morbid of the whole set]_{5210-this little rickety dennistoun , whose poems were the most limited and the most hopelessly morbid of the whole set} , annoyed [him]_145-hamlin ; for in [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , for all [his]_{347-dennistoun} limitations and repetitions , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin recognised [the most genuine poet of [his]_145-hamlin circle]_{5211-the most genuine poet of his circle} , [[his]_145-hamlin most real rival]_{5212-his most real rival} . Those words , “_{[348-wordsworth]} It ’s [Wordsworth]_{348-wordsworth} , that ’s what it is , ” were like a blow . [He]_145-hamlin could have knocked down [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , had [he]_{347-dennistoun} not been [a cripple]_{5213-a cripple} . The conversation was changed ; and soon the first dinner‐bell dispersed [the company]_{1514-the company} . When [Anne]_171-anne came down [she]_171-anne heard [some one]_{1380-some one} stirring in [the study next door]_{5216-the study next door} . [She]_171-anne went in . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was seated before the table , [his]_145-hamlin head on [his]_145-hamlin hands ; the MS . , all crumpled up , lay in front of [him]_145-hamlin . [Anne]_171-anne came silently to [his]_145-hamlin side . [Her]_171-anne heart was bursting with indignation . “_{[348-wordsworth]} What ’s the matter ? ” asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , crossly . “_{[348-wordsworth]} Nothing . [I]_0-i only came — because [I]_0-i wanted to see [you]_2015-you — because [I]_0-i wanted to tell [you]_2015-you how [I]_0-i despise [those people]_{2016-those people} and [their]_{2016-those people} disgusting , unmanly school of poetry — how [I]_0-i hate [their]_{2016-those people} stupid criticism,—how completely [I]_0-i believe in [you]_2015-you and in [your]_2015-you poem . ” [Anne]_171-anne had spoken with vehemence and almost anger . [She]_171-anne took one of [his]_2015-you hands , which was dog’s‐earing [the MS]_{5217-the ms} . “_[0-i] Oh , why , ” [she]_171-anne asked , “_[2015-you] why do [you]_2015-you read [them]_{2016-those people} what [you]_2015-you write ? Do n’t [you]_2015-you know [them]_{2016-those people} sufficiently to know what [they]_{2016-those people} will say ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i never thought — ” and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin stopped . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i never thought that that fellow [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} would ever dare to speak like that about a poem of [mine]_0-i . ” [His]_145-hamlin tone was angry and tearful , like that of [a punished child]_{5218-a punished child} . “_{[347-dennistoun]} Nor did [I.]_0-i [I]_0-i never thought [any one]_{4101-any one} would dare to speak like that . But what does it matter — what can the words of [such a man]_{2018-such a man} matter to [you]_0-i ? ” [He]_145-hamlin did not answer . “_{[2016-those people]} Surely , ” went on [Anne]_171-anne , “_[2015-you] [you]_2015-you ca n’t mind what [they]_{2016-those people} say ? [You]_2015-you believe in [your]_2015-you poem , as [I]_0-i believe in it ? ” It seemed so impossible to [her]_171-anne how [any one]_{4101-any one} could not believe in that poem , which seemed to [her]_171-anne so strong , and noble , and beautiful . “_[2015-you] [I]_0-i know [you]_2015-you believe in it , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , brusquely ; “_[2015-you] [you]_2015-you made [me]_0-i write it — so of course [you]_2015-you must — ” “_[2015-you] And — and — are [you]_0-i sorry to have written it ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t know ; [I]_0-i ca n’t judge . There ’s [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} outside . ” “_{[295-o’reilly]} [The disconsolate poet being consoled by [his]_{2019-the disconsolate poet being consoled by his beautiful fiancée} beautiful fiancée]_{2019-the disconsolate poet being consoled by his beautiful fiancée} for having written about [people who were united in legitimate wedlock]_{2020-people who were united in legitimate wedlock} , ” whispered [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} to [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} as [they]_5220-they entered [the room]_{574-the room} . “_{[2019-the disconsolate poet being consoled by his beautiful fiancée]} Well , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [old fellow]_{4051-old fellow} , do [you]_145-hamlin repent [you]_145-hamlin of that sinful marriage between [[your]_145-hamlin hero]_{2022-your hero} and [heroine]_2023-heroine ? ” asked [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} . “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i repent [me]_0-i of nothing at all , except of having read [my]_0-i poem to a parcel of [damned meretricious rhymesters]_{2024-damned meretricious rhymesters} , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , angrily . “_[145-hamlin] [Walter]_145-hamlin ! ” cried [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , “_[145-hamlin] how can [you]_145-hamlin talk like that ! ” But , despite this bravado , [Anne]_171-anne felt , and [her]_171-anne spirit sank within [her]_171-anne , that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had been disgusted with [his]_145-hamlin poem . [He]_145-hamlin was rather cantankerous throughout dinner ; and [Anne]_171-anne , watching [him]_145-hamlin , felt a strange mixture of indignation — towards [[his]_145-hamlin critics]_{5222-his critics} for [their]_{5222-his critics} criticism , and towards [Hamlin]_145-hamlin for minding it . THE time has come for [him]_145-hamlin to break with the old school , thought [Anne]_171-anne ; consoling [herself]_171-anne for a certain childish petulance , perhaps not quite new to [her]_171-anne , in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s manner . But [Anne]_171-anne proved mistaken . Whether [the critics]_{5223-the critics} became less rabid on the following day , or whether [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was suddenly smitten with the truth of [their]_{5223-the critics} criticism , [she]_171-anne could not say . [He]_145-hamlin was very snappish at first towards [Chough]_248-chough , and absolutely refused to speak to [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} for nearly twenty‐four hours . [Chough]_248-chough , who loved [Hamlin]_145-hamlin like the apple of [his]_145-hamlin eye , would not , however , be spurned ; [he]_145-hamlin followed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin about , [he]_145-hamlin soothed [him]_145-hamlin , [he]_145-hamlin flattered [him]_145-hamlin , [he]_145-hamlin assured [him]_145-hamlin that [he]_145-hamlin was much [the greatest poet of [[his]_145-hamlin generation]_{5225-his generation}]_{5224-the greatest poet of his generation} ; but [he]_145-hamlin repeated , almost with tears in [his]_145-hamlin eyes , [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} ’s criticism . “_[145-hamlin] Such a poem will never , never do , ” [he]_145-hamlin cried ; “_[145-hamlin] it is impossible , intolerable , and it will just put [some fellow like [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} into [your]_2026-your place]_{2025-some fellow like dennistoun into your place} . ” “_{[347-dennistoun]} Thank [you]_2027-you for [your]_2027-you advice , [Chough]_248-chough , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , angrily ; “_[248-chough] [I]_0-i think [I]_0-i told [you]_2027-you before that [I]_0-i did n’t want it . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not revive the subject of the unlucky poem . It was useless provoking quarrels between [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} ; quarrels in which [she]_171-anne was forced to own to [herself]_171-anne that [he]_145-hamlin showed [himself]_145-hamlin too easily mortified and put out of temper . If [he]_145-hamlin had been taught to mistrust [their]_5227-their judgment , if [he]_145-hamlin had been alienated from [their]_5227-their school by [their]_5227-their absurd criticism , why , so much the better . This business drew [Anne]_171-anne ’s attention to the poetry of [the school]_{1304-the school} ; [she]_171-anne re‐read a number of poems by [Chough]_248-chough , [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , and several gods , [demigods]_{5229-demigods} , and [heroes of the movement]_{5230-heroes of the movement} . Whether it was that [she]_171-anne had read them fragmentarily before , or that [she]_171-anne had not understood their full meaning , or whether [her]_171-anne attention was now called to [their]_5227-their bad points rather than to [their]_5227-their good ones , [she]_171-anne scarcely knew ; but it seemed to [her]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne had never before comprehended this style of poetry : its beauty had ceased to please [her]_171-anne , it seemed to [her]_171-anne false , emasculate , diseased . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin alone had not gone to its worst lengths ; [he]_145-hamlin had sinned , but comparatively little . [He]_145-hamlin was evidently intended for something better . And [Anne]_171-anne thought with pride of that “_[0-i] Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} ” which [they]_5231-they had all fallen upon , and which was to be the signal for a new era in poetry . Soon it would be out ; and [she]_171-anne [the only person to have appreciated it]_{5232-the only person to have appreciated it} . It seemed to [Anne]_171-anne that at last , in [her]_171-anne humble way , [she]_171-anne might be beginning to repay the debt of gratitude which [she]_171-anne owed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ( not that [she]_171-anne wished that the debt should ever be less , God knows , or dreamed that it could be ) ; but at last [Hamlin]_145-hamlin might reap some advantage from [his]_145-hamlin generosity . [He]_145-hamlin had stooped to make [her]_171-anne , to turn [[the Perrys]_{1062-the perrys} ’ servant]_{1229-the perrys ’ servant} into [a lady]_{3943-a lady} ; in [her]_171-anne turn , perhaps [she]_171-anne , [the woman of the lower classes]_{5236-the woman of the lower classes} , might encourage [the delicately nurtured poet]_{5237-the delicately nurtured poet} to attempt things bolder , simpler , and more healthy than [he]_145-hamlin had done before . The proof‐sheets of the new volume began to come in . [Anne]_171-anne had read nearly all its contents at one time or other , yet [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , in [his]_145-hamlin grave , ceremoniously adoring way , handed on the proofs to [her]_171-anne . One day a fresh bundle came by post . After breakfast , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin took [Anne]_171-anne aside . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i want [you]_2028-you to read these sonnets , ” [he]_145-hamlin said . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t think [you]_2028-you have read them all . There are rather more than [I]_0-i care to print in this volume , so [I]_0-i should like [you]_2028-you to select those which [you]_2028-you think the best or the least bad : divide them into two packets , and tell [me]_0-i which [you]_2028-you prefer . ” [Anne]_171-anne was quite taken aback for joy , and at the same time for fear . “_[2028-you] Do n’t say that , ” [she]_0-i said ; “_[2028-you] [I]_0-i could never , never take the responsibility of deciding about [your]_2028-you poems . Let [me]_0-i read them , and let [me]_0-i tell [you]_2028-you what [I]_0-i like best , but do n’t ask [me]_0-i to choose . What am [I]_0-i , that [I]_0-i should decide in such matters ? ” “_[2028-you] [You]_2028-you are the person whom [I]_0-i trust and respect , and — will [you]_2028-you let [me]_0-i say so?—whom [I]_0-i love most in all [the world]_{496-the world} , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , solemnly . “_[0-i] For whom should [my]_0-i poetry be written except for [you]_2028-you ? Whom else should [I]_0-i care to please ? Are [you]_2028-you not the best and worthiest thing in [my]_0-i life , and is it not [my]_0-i highest ambition to do anything worthy of [you]_2028-you ? ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had never spoken so passionately and earnestly before . [Anne]_171-anne did not answer , but [she]_171-anne squeezed [his]_145-hamlin hand , and the gesture , and the look accompanying it , meant “_[0-i] [I]_0-i love [you]_2028-you . ” “_[0-i] Listen , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , detaining [her]_171-anne as [she]_171-anne was leaving—“I_[0-i] want to say one word more . These sonnets are not merely [my]_0-i verses ; they are [myself]_0-i — and many of them , [you]_2028-you will see , are about [you]_2028-you . Perhaps [you]_2028-you would rather that some of these were not published ; perhaps [your]_2028-you permitting them to be published might mean more than [you]_2028-you should wish . Tell [me]_0-i [your]_2028-you opinion frankly , and put aside everything that [you]_2028-you do n’t like . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] What [you]_0-i wish [me]_0-i to do , [I]_0-i must do . ” [She]_171-anne went up into [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} , shut the door , and seating [herself]_171-anne at the table , unrolled the little bundle of proof‐sheets . But at first [she]_171-anne could not read , or could read only the titles — [her]_171-anne heart beat so , and the blood boomed so in [her]_171-anne temples . That [he]_5239-he should love [her]_171-anne so much , believe in [her]_171-anne so much — that it should really be [he]_5239-he , just [he]_5239-he and [she]_171-anne , and not [some one else]_{1193-some one else} ; it seemed too strange to be true . [She]_171-anne slowly began to read the sonnets . Some of them [she]_171-anne knew already ; others were expansions in verse of things which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had said or written to [her]_171-anne ; many were about [herself]_171-anne , passionate , with a sort of delicate , subdued , respectful passion , played , like some exquisite instrument , in various keys and rhythms of subdued pain or gladness . [She]_171-anne felt so proud and glad , and at the same time so moved and saddened , that [she]_171-anne almost cried over them . There were a lot of other sonnets , descriptive of places and of moods . Some of these [she]_171-anne did not at all relish . They were not fleshly nor exactly improper ; but they contained allusions which [Anne]_171-anne could not help following , allusions which [she]_171-anne did not quite understand , but which [she]_171-anne did not like . [She]_171-anne felt half ashamed of [herself]_171-anne , wondering whether all the impure poetry which [she]_171-anne had lately been reading , whether [her]_171-anne prejudice against [the school to which these decidedly belonged]_{5241-the school to which these decidedly belonged} , might not be making [her]_171-anne imagine things which were not meant ; and [Anne]_171-anne blushed at the thought — blushed at [her]_171-anne knowing so many things , having learned so many things , in [her]_171-anne half education as [an Italian servant]_{5242-an italian servant} , in [her]_171-anne culture as [an æsthetic personage]_{5243-an æsthetic personage} , which [perhaps other girls of [her]_171-anne age]_{5244-perhaps other girls of her age} would not dream of . It was probably only [her]_171-anne own morbid fancy . But then [she]_171-anne came upon a set of sonnets — no fewer than twelve connected together by similarity of title — which put an end to [her]_171-anne doubts . [She]_171-anne felt giddy and sick as [she]_171-anne read them ; mysterious and mystical hankerings , mysterious half‐longing repentance , and half‐repentant longings after untold shameful things . [Anne]_171-anne pushed aside the proof‐sheets , and leaned [her]_171-anne head on [her]_171-anne hands . [She]_171-anne seemed to be smothering for want of air ; [she]_171-anne went to the window , and leaned against its rails . It was raining — a steady , clear fine rain . [She]_171-anne looked at it mechanically as it filled the air like a thin veil , and crevassed the sand outside with yellow trickles of water . [She]_171-anne did not for one instant believe that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had ever felt the things about which [he]_145-hamlin was writing ; but [he]_145-hamlin had written about them . [She]_171-anne knew , from an unerring instinct , as well as from [her]_171-anne own deep love , that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was as pure [a man as could be found]_{5245-a man as could be found} ; had [he]_145-hamlin not been towards [her]_171-anne — was [he]_145-hamlin not , at that very moment — [the very personification of chivalrous and spiritual lovingness]_{5246-the very personification of chivalrous and spiritual lovingness} ? Then [she]_171-anne remembered the allusions which , without understanding them , used to frighten [her]_171-anne in [his]_145-hamlin letters — the allusions to vague evil which beckoned to [him]_145-hamlin , which surrounded [him]_145-hamlin ; and [she]_171-anne remembered also [his]_145-hamlin constant references in conversation to [his]_145-hamlin being unlike what [she]_171-anne imagined , to [his]_145-hamlin baseness and unworthiness . Two years earlier [she]_171-anne would have been seized with an agonising terror ; a week before [she]_171-anne might have been overcome with pitying admiration at [his]_145-hamlin self‐tormenting moral purity , taking umbrage at every thought of evil which passed across and seemed to soil [his]_145-hamlin mind . But somehow , now , [she]_171-anne did neither . [She]_171-anne did not for one second believe that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was in any way [a bad man]_{5247-a bad man} . [She]_171-anne repeated to [herself]_171-anne that [he]_145-hamlin was morbidly introspective , self‐scrutinising , morbidly imaginative ; but [she]_171-anne could not realise that these hateful sonnets had been written in any great agony of imagined self‐debasement ; they were so artistic , so evidently written with enjoyment , so self‐conscious ; they were so clearly not the doubts of a troubled mind , but the work of [a poet]_{498-a poet} — and , what was much worse , so clearly the work of [a poet of a definite school]_{5249-a poet of a definite school} , of [the school of [Chough]_248-chough]_{5250-the school of chough} and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} and all the others , whom [she]_171-anne was beginning to loathe . [Anne]_171-anne looked at [them]_5251-them over and over again . There was no reality in them ; mere revolting pose . Gradually [her]_171-anne mind settled about them . [They]_5251-them were doubtless things written long ago , when , without knowing what it all meant , [he]_145-hamlin had been carried away by the wave of imitation of [one or two shameless or foolish writers]_{5252-one or two shameless or foolish writers} . [He]_145-hamlin had alluded to sonnets which [he]_145-hamlin had expected [her]_171-anne to dislike , [he]_145-hamlin had insisted so on a certain number being put aside ; if [he]_145-hamlin had made [her]_171-anne think that it was the sonnets about [herself]_171-anne which provoked [his]_145-hamlin doubts , that came from a sort of shame , an unwillingness to point out to [her]_171-anne what [she]_171-anne might perhaps overlook : it was not quite straightforward , but [everybody]_{1613-everybody} , [Anne]_171-anne had learned by this time , did not do right in a quite straightforward way . The only thing which perplexed [her]_171-anne was , why [he]_145-hamlin had submitted these poems to [her]_171-anne at all ? Why had [he]_145-hamlin not torn them up ? why shown them to [her]_171-anne ? A little [she]_171-anne could not help , as [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , resenting [his]_145-hamlin having done so at all . But perhaps [he]_145-hamlin had done so to show [her]_171-anne the difference between what [he]_145-hamlin had been and what [he]_145-hamlin was going to be,—perhaps — perhaps [he]_145-hamlin had got a little callous , living among [poets of this school]_{5255-poets of this school} . Anyhow , they were things of the past , and [Anne]_171-anne did not distress [herself]_171-anne any longer about them , so foreign did they seem to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , so impossible was it to bring [them]_5256-them into connection with the thought of [him]_145-hamlin . [She]_171-anne put the proofs into [her]_171-anne pocket , and waited for an opportunity of giving them back . Before dinner , when [the guests]_{4917-the guests} were safe out of the way , [she]_171-anne called [Hamlin]_145-hamlin into [the library]_{4639-the library} . “_[0-i] Here are the proofs , ” [she]_171-anne said , laying them on the table . “_[0-i] Have [you]_2030-you read them already ? ” cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “_[2030-you] how sweet of [you]_2030-you ! Now tell [me]_0-i what [you]_2030-you think about them . ” [He]_145-hamlin looked so cheerful , so utterly unconscious of the possibility of [Anne]_171-anne ’s having anything to say disagreeable to [himself]_145-hamlin and [herself]_171-anne , that [she]_171-anne began to feel nervous . “_[2030-you] [I]_0-i think they are most of them very beautiful , ” [she]_171-anne answered slowly—“indeed_[0-i] , quite some of the best things [you]_2031-you have ever done — and especially those about [me]_0-i ; [I]_0-i am very grateful to [you]_2031-you for them . [But”—she]_{350-but”—she} resumed , after a moment ’s silence—“there_[0-i] are some which [I]_0-i dislike extremely , and which are utterly unworthy of [you]_2031-you . [I]_0-i have put them into the smaller roll by [themselves]_{2032-themselves} . ” [She]_171-anne spoke rapidly , decidedly , but when [she]_171-anne had done [she]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne was crimson . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin seemed quite speechless for astonishment . [He]_145-hamlin quickly unrolled the smaller parcel , and glanced at its contents . A look of surprised ill‐humour crossed [his]_145-hamlin face . “_{[2032-themselves]} [I]_0-i am quite astonished at [your]_0-i choice , ” [he]_145-hamlin said with affected coolness ; “_[0-i] for these are the very sonnets which [Chough]_248-chough and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} and all [[my]_0-i other friends]_{2033-my other friends} picked out as among [my]_0-i best . ” So [he]_145-hamlin had already provided [himself]_145-hamlin with a stock of criticisms . “_[248-chough] [I]_0-i am no judge of [their]_{2032-themselves} technical merits , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , trying to feel as if [she]_0-i had expected this news . “_[0-i] It seemed to [me]_0-i that they were very excellent in workmanship , and there is beautiful imagery in them . But [I]_0-i think the subject and tone of [them]_{2032-themselves} horrible . ” [she]_0-i spoke resolutely and unflinchingly , because [she]_0-i saw [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s eyes fixed incredulously on [her]_0-i . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i asked [me]_0-i to give [you]_0-i [my]_0-i frank opinion ; and even had [you]_0-i not asked [me]_0-i , [I]_0-i should have felt bound to tell [you]_0-i that [I]_0-i think those sonnets ought not to be published . Perhaps [you]_0-i think it strange of [me]_0-i to speak so openly ; but , of course , [I]_0-i understand what [those sonnets]_{2034-those sonnets} allude to , and , of course , so will [every grown‐up reader]_{2035-every grown‐up reader} . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin bit [his]_145-hamlin moustache . “_[0-i] There is not a single word to which [any one]_{4101-any one} can take objection in these sonnets , ” and [he]_145-hamlin turned over the proofs . “_[0-i] What do the words matter ? It is the meaning . [I]_0-i think , ” and [Anne]_171-anne vainly tried to soften down [her]_171-anne expressions,—“I_[0-i] think that those sonnets are things [you]_0-i should be ashamed of . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s eyes flashed , but [he]_145-hamlin kept [his]_145-hamlin temper . “_[0-i] Everything is legitimate for the sake of an artistic effect , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , echoing the worn‐out aphorism of [[his]_145-hamlin school]_{5209-his school} . “_[0-i] Even to do a disgraceful thing ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i can see nothing disgraceful in [a man]_{503-a man} attempting to describe what has passed through [his]_{503-a man} mind . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin spoke sullenly and doggedly . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i have shifted [your]_0-i position , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i intimated just now that [a man]_{503-a man} may pretend to anything for the sake of an artistic effect . And now [you]_0-i are trying to make [me]_0-i believe that [you]_0-i really have felt and thought those horrible things . It is of no use . [You]_0-i have not — ” “_[0-i] How do [you]_0-i know ? ” exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , angrily . “_[0-i] Do [you]_0-i think [I]_0-i tell [you]_0-i everything that [I]_0-i have ever done , or thought , or felt ? ” [Anne]_171-anne was silent for a moment : that [he]_145-hamlin should prefer to make [her]_0-i believe in [his]_145-hamlin own baseness ! It was horrible , loathsome , and , at the same time , pitiable and childish . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know [you]_0-i have not , ” [she]_0-i repeated , “_[0-i] because [I]_0-i know [you]_0-i to be [a gentleman]_{662-a gentleman} . And [I]_0-i know that all that is affectation — school affectation — learned from creatures like [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} and [Chough]_248-chough ; [they]_2040-they have all done it , or something of the sort , and [you]_0-i have learned what comes naturally to [their]_2040-they dirty minds . Oh , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , do not commit this abomination — this baseness of pretending to shameful things which [you]_0-i have not felt or thought ; do not be so mean , so base , so lying , as to slander [yourself]_0-i for the sake of an artistic effect . ” [Anne]_171-anne had seized [his]_145-hamlin arm ; [he]_145-hamlin was shaken by [her]_171-anne unexpected vehemence and passion ; [he]_145-hamlin had never thought that [Anne]_171-anne could become so passionate about anything ; [he]_145-hamlin looked on , taken by surprise , not knowing what to think . “_[0-i] Do not slander [yourself]_0-i , ” repeated [Anne—“do]_{351-anne—“do[0-i]} not blacken [your]_0-i real self , which does not belong to [yourself]_0-i alone , which belongs also to [[your]_0-i friends]_{1635-your friends} , to [your]_0-i honour , which belongs in part to [me]_0-i . Do not lie to [me]_0-i about [yourself]_0-i ! ” “_[0-i] As [you]_145-hamlin choose , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “_[145-hamlin] perhaps [you]_145-hamlin are right ; though , heaven knows , [I]_0-i thought [myself]_0-i , when writing those sonnets , but too bitterly in earnest . ” [Anne]_171-anne ’s look — a look of incredulous contempt — smote [him]_145-hamlin like a rod . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i suppose [I]_0-i am apt to be morbid , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , sadly ; “_[0-i] that is the wretchedness of [my]_0-i life , that [I]_0-i never know where the truth about [myself]_0-i really lies — it seems to [me]_0-i that [I]_0-i ought to speak out , and yet . . . ” “_[0-i] And yet it is mere nonsense . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin smiled a forced smile . “_[0-i] Perhaps it is . Since [you]_145-hamlin are determined , [I]_0-i suppose it must be . ” “_[145-hamlin] [You]_0-i wo n’t publish those sonnets ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , anxiously . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will not , since they offend [you]_0-i so much . But it is curious , that of [all the people to whom [I]_0-i have shown [them]_{2042-all the people to whom i have shown them}]_{2042-all the people to whom i have shown them} , [you]_145-hamlin are the only one who has taken the slightest exception to [them]_{2042-all the people to whom i have shown them} . ” For a moment [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had been overcome , had been delighted by this sudden burst of impetuosity , by this passionate belief in [him]_145-hamlin and vindication of [himself]_145-hamlin . But now , as [he]_145-hamlin again glanced at the sonnets , [he]_145-hamlin was once more annoyed and resentful . “_[145-hamlin] Such things must be judged from a purely artistic standpoint , ” [he]_145-hamlin said with some irritation . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am willing to judge art from an artistic standpoint ; but [I]_0-i can not judge from an artistic standpoint [an honourable man trying to defame [himself]_{2043-an honourable man trying to defame himself}]_{2043-an honourable man trying to defame himself} . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin sighed . “_{[2043-an honourable man trying to defame himself]} Well , after all , [I]_0-i bade [you]_145-hamlin select , and the principal thing is that [you]_145-hamlin should be satisfied . But it is a pity , because those were just the best sonnets in the book ; and the book will be very small without the ‘ Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} . ’ ” “_{[352-the fens’?—aren’t]} The ‘ Ballad of [the Fens’?—aren’t]_{352-the fens’?—aren’t} [you]_0-i going to print that ? What do [you]_0-i mean ? ” Could [Hamlin]_145-hamlin be merely worrying [her]_0-i , to vent [his]_145-hamlin annoyance at the loss of the sonnets ? “_[0-i] The ‘ Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} ’ has been torn up , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with a kind of dogged satisfaction . “_[0-i] Oh , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ! How could [you]_0-i — the finest thing [you]_0-i have ever written . ” The ballad torn up ! “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know [you]_145-hamlin thought it good , and so did [I]_0-i [myself]_0-i . But , on reflection , [I]_0-i saw that [[my]_0-i friends]_{1822-my friends} were right , and that such a thing would not do . ” [He]_145-hamlin spoke sharply , brutally , as if to bring home to [Anne]_171-anne the unreliableness of [her]_0-i judgment : [she]_0-i had induced [him]_145-hamlin to write it ; [she]_0-i had praised it ; and [she]_0-i wanted [him]_145-hamlin to tear up those sonnets . “_[0-i] It is a bad plan to keep things about which one is doubtful , ” [he]_145-hamlin went on ; “_[145-hamlin] so [I]_0-i tore it up . [I]_0-i think it was wiser ; do n’t [you]_145-hamlin ? ” “_[0-i] No , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , in a husky voice which burst out in a way that almost frightened [him]_145-hamlin ; “_[0-i] no , no — it was . . . ” but [she]_171-anne said no more . ONE morning [Hamlin]_145-hamlin received two unexpected letters at breakfast . From [his]_145-hamlin looks , which [he]_145-hamlin was at all times quite unable to control , it was clear that one of them brought good news , while the other must be about some disagreeable matter . “_[0-i] [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis is coming the day after to‐morrow , ” announced [Hamlin]_145-hamlin to [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} , to [Anne]_171-anne , and to [[his]_145-hamlin guests]_{5261-his guests} . There was a chorus of exclamations of surprise , sprinkled with pleasure . “_[353-lewis] Who is [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne . “_[353-lewis] [He]_353-lewis is [an old friend of [mine]_0-i]_{2045-an old friend of mine} , [a charming fellow whom [I]_0-i have not seen for some years]_{2046-a charming fellow whom i have not seen for some years} . Some of the drawings in [the drawing‐room at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith}]_{2047-the drawing‐room at hammersmith} are by [him]_353-lewis . ” [Anne]_171-anne remembered the name , and the strange , beautiful , cruel , mysterious , out‐of‐drawing heads in crayon , which had curiously impressed [her]_171-anne the first morning after [her]_171-anne arrival in [England]_37-england , rose before [her]_171-anne eyes ; since then [she]_171-anne had seen so many similar things , had got to understand so completely that mysterious , beautiful faces , with combed‐out hair , big weird eyes , and cruel lips , were so much school property , that [she]_171-anne had become quite indifferent to them . “_[353-lewis] [I]_0-i thought [you]_2048-you told [me]_0-i that something strange had happened to [him]_353-lewis — that [he]_353-lewis had left [England]_37-england for good , ” remarked [Anne]_171-anne . “_[2048-you] Oh , it was nothing particularly strange , ” interrupted [little O’Reilly—“only_[2048-you] a German lady whom [he]_353-lewis met one day , [blond , fat , thirty‐five]_{2049-blond , fat , thirty‐five} , who was nothing but a soul — [you]_2050-you know the sort of thing — with [a husband who was a great deal besides a soul]_{2051-a husband who was a great deal besides a soul} ( [a charming man]_{2052-a charming man} , for the rest , and quite wildly in love with [the Gnädige Frau]_{354-the gnädige frau} )]_{5262-little o’reilly—“only a german lady whom he met one day , blond , fat , thirty‐five , who was nothing but a soul — you know the sort of thing — with a husband who was a great deal besides a soul ( a charming man , for the rest , and quite wildly in love with the gnädige frau )} . The excess of soul having induced acute neuralgia in [the lady]_{3881-the lady} , poor [Teddy Lewis]_{355-teddy lewis} , who is [a tremendous magnetiser]_{2054-a tremendous magnetiser} , was called in to soothe [her]_{3881-the lady} agonies , during which process [the lady]_{3881-the lady} discovered that the soul‐sorrow and consequent neuralgia from which [she]_{3881-the lady} suffered was due to the soullessness of [[her]_{3881-the lady} husband]_{693-her husband} , and that only the brotherly affection of [Ted]_353-lewis could cure [her]_{3881-the lady} . The difficulty was [the husband]_{4025-the husband} , who loved [the lady]_{3881-the lady} fervently , and [she]_{3881-the lady} [him]_{4025-the husband} , but not in a way which should satisfy [her]_{3881-the lady} soul . Hence struggles , agonies , & c.—you’ve read it all in the ‘ Wahlverwandschaften’—finally ended by [the husband]_{4025-the husband} being implored to sacrifice [himself]_{4025-the husband} to the spiritual exigencies of [[his]_{4025-the husband} adored wife]_{2060-his adored wife} , which absolutely required that [he]_{4025-the husband} should divorce [her]_{2060-his adored wife} and let [her]_{2060-his adored wife} marry [Lewis]_353-lewis . That ’s all . ” “_[353-lewis] How can [you]_2061-you talk in such a flippant way , [Mr O’Reilly]_{2062-mr o’reilly} ? ” cried [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} . “_[2061-you] [You]_2061-you have a way of making the most serious things seem ridiculous . [Poor Mrs Lewis]_{356-poor mrs lewis} ! [she]_{356-poor mrs lewis} ’s dead now ; [you]_2061-you need n’t make fun of [her]_{356-poor mrs lewis} . ” “_{[356-poor mrs lewis]} [Poor Mrs Lewis]_{356-poor mrs lewis} ! ” laughed [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} ; “_{[356-poor mrs lewis]} well , [you]_2061-you know [you]_2061-you would n’t receive [her]_{356-poor mrs lewis} , [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , when [she]_{356-poor mrs lewis} first came to [England]_37-england . ” “_[2061-you] [I]_0-i thought [her]_{356-poor mrs lewis} [a designing woman]_{2063-a designing woman} then ; [I]_0-i did n’t know all the circumstances . ” “_[0-i] Come now , [Edith]_286-edith , ” interrupted [[her]_286-edith father]_{4143-her father} , in [his]_{4143-her father} broad Scotch ; “_[286-edith] [I]_0-i think the less [ye]_286-edith knew those circumstances the better it was for [all concerned]_{2064-all concerned} . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t see that at all , [papa]_3893-papa . [I]_0-i do n’t see why [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ’s happiness should be sacrificed , ” and [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , who was [the most devoted of [wives]_5265-wives and [mothers]_5266-mothers]_{5264-the most devoted of wives and mothers} , tossed [her]_0-i head rebelliously . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t see why [the world]_{496-the world} should insist that [a woman]_{3960-a woman} is to be satisfied with [a husband who is good to [her]_{3960-a woman} and [her]_{3960-a woman} children]_{2069-a husband who is good to her and her children} . After all , [she]_{3960-a woman} has a soul , and that requires response . ” “_{[356-poor mrs lewis]} Would [you]_0-i behave as [Mrs Lewis]_{356-poor mrs lewis} did ? ” asked [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} , “_[0-i] If — well — let [me]_0-i see — [Mr Spencer]_{357-mr spencer} were suddenly to develop an overpowering belief in [the Royal Academy]_{97-the royal academy} and in [Zola]_95-zola ? ” “_[185-papa] [Papa]_185-papa would never have let [me]_0-i marry [a man who could ever develop such beliefs]_{2070-a man who could ever develop such beliefs} . ” At this perfectly solemn answer there was a general laugh ; even poor Mr Spencer , who was [the most timid of [æsthetical persons]_{5268-æsthetical persons}]_{5267-the most timid of æsthetical persons} , joining . “_[185-papa] [I]_0-i think it was rather hard on [poor Ted Lewis]_353-lewis , ” remarked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[0-i] to become necessary to the soul of [a lady]_{3943-a lady} whether [he]_353-lewis liked it or no . ” “_[0-i] Oh , [Lewis]_353-lewis liked it well enough , be sure of that , ” answered [Chough]_248-chough , bitterly . “_[353-lewis] Do n’t [you]_0-i think it was rather hard upon [the husband]_{4025-the husband} , ” suggested [Anne]_171-anne , “_[0-i] since [he]_{4025-the husband} really cared for [[his]_{4025-the husband} wife]_{700-his wife} ? Fancy being abandoned like that , and [[his]_{4025-the husband} children]_{4938-his children} left without [a mother]_{2075-a mother} ! ” “_{[4025-the husband]} [He]_{4025-the husband} was at liberty to marry again , ” replied [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} sharply , still thinking of what [she]_{288-mrs spencer} would do if by any chance [Mr Spencer]_{357-mr spencer} were to suddenly disbelieve in [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} father]_{4143-her father} and [[his]_{4025-the husband} school]_{5209-his school} . “_{[4025-the husband]} What would [you]_0-i have had [Lewis]_353-lewis , or rather [the poor Baroness]_{2076-the poor baroness} , do , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ” asked [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} . “_[171-anne] Why , [I]_0-i would have [them]_2077-them never dream of [each other]_{594-each other} ; but if [they]_2077-them had been so foolish , be ashamed as soon as possible , and each go [his]_{4025-the husband} and [her]_2079-her way , and attend to [his]_{4025-the husband} and [her]_2079-her proper concerns . ” [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , [who had sat silent at the other end of the table]_{5271-who had sat silent at the other end of the table} , propped up on [his]_{347-dennistoun} chair , suddenly stretched out [his]_{347-dennistoun} long neck , and gobbled out — “_[2079-her] Love permits [no man]_{4317-no man} or [woman]_2081-woman to resist : it is imperious , irresistible , dragging [us]_2082-us along to happiness , or misery , or shame , whether [we]_2082-us will or not . Love is the extinction of the reason , the extinction of the will , or rather the merging of the whole individuality in one mysterious desire . [Those who can talk of resistance]_{2083-those who can talk of resistance} have never experienced love . Woe to [them]_{2083-those who can talk of resistance} ! [their]_{2083-those who can talk of resistance} hour is coming!”—and [he]_{347-dennistoun} tried to fix [his]_{347-dennistoun} weak eyes on [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[2083-those who can talk of resistance]} Well , ” [she]_0-i answered quickly , “_{[2083-those who can talk of resistance]} [I]_0-i hope [I]_0-i may never make such a disgusting fool of [myself]_0-i as [you]_2084-you describe , [Mr Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} ; but as [I]_0-i think that [not everybody]_{2085-not everybody} is liable to go mad , so also [I]_0-i think that [not everybody]_{2085-not everybody} is liable to falling in love in [your]_2084-you sense of the word . ” [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} leaned over the back of [her]_0-i chair . “_{[2085-not everybody]} It happens only to [those who want to write about it]_{2087-those who want to write about it} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” [he]_353-lewis whispered . “_[171-anne] Anyhow , ” remarked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[353-lewis] [Lewis]_353-lewis is [a charming fellow]_{2088-a charming fellow} , and [I]_0-i am sure [you]_171-anne will appreciate [him]_353-lewis , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [He]_353-lewis is , moreover , [the most backbitten man in creation]_{2089-the most backbitten man in creation} , ” and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin glanced round the table ; “_[353-lewis] but [you]_171-anne must never believe any harm of [him]_353-lewis . ” Perhaps , thought [Anne]_171-anne , [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis was disliked by this set for the same reasons which , [she]_171-anne could not help understanding , were beginning to make [her]_171-anne vaguely unpopular . Still , [she]_171-anne did not like the story of [his]_353-lewis marriage , [she]_171-anne did not like the recollection of [his]_353-lewis morbidly beautiful drawings . “_[171-anne] It ’s good news about [Lewis]_353-lewis , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin to [her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} after breakfast ; “_[353-lewis] but unfortunately there ’s been rather a bothering letter also . Did [I]_0-i ever mention [a cousin of mine]_{2090-a cousin of mine} , [the daughter of [[papa]_3893-papa ’s sister]_{2093-papa ’s sister} and of [a horrible Russian creature called [Polozoff]_358-sacha]_{2094-a horrible russian creature called polozoff}]_{2091-the daughter of papa ’s sister and of a horrible russian creature called polozoff} ? [She]_{2090-a cousin of mine} was brought up with [us]_2095-us as [a child]_{623-a child} , and is connected with a great many painful circumstances . [I]_0-i have completely lost sight of [her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} since [she]_{2090-a cousin of mine} was about fifteen , and now [I]_0-i suddenly get a letter from [her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} telling [me]_0-i that [[her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} husband]_{693-her husband} is dead , and that [she]_{2090-a cousin of mine} is coming to [England]_37-england . [I]_0-i rather loathe the idea of [her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} , and if [you]_2098-you knew the part [she]_{2090-a cousin of mine} played in [this house]_{4073-this house} fifteen years ago , [you]_2098-you could understand it . But the worst is that [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} perfectly abhorred [her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} — [I]_0-i will tell [you]_2098-you the horrible , prosaic , tragic story some day — and that [I]_0-i perfectly dread having to break the news to [her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} . [I]_0-i do hate a scene so ! There [she]_{2090-a cousin of mine} is ; [I]_0-i suppose [I]_0-i ’d better tell [her]_{2090-a cousin of mine} . ” [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} was walking slowly up and down the gravel walk before [the house]_{509-the house} . “_{[2090-a cousin of mine]} Do come and keep [me]_0-i in countenance . It really is no fault of [mine]_0-i , but [I]_0-i know [[my]_0-i aunt]_{4294-my aunt} will be furious . ” “_{[4294-my aunt]} What ’s the matter ? ” cried [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} suspiciously , as if expecting to be told something disagreeable . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i wanted to tell [you]_2098-you , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_{[247-aunt claudia]} that [I]_0-i had a letter this morning . ” “_[0-i] Yes , [I]_0-i know , from [[your]_2098-you dear]_{2101-your dear} [Lewis]_353-lewis , ” interrupted [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_[353-lewis] What ’s that to [me]_0-i ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t mean that one . [I]_0-i had a letter from — guess from whom ? ” and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin tried to smile—“from_[359-sacha] [Cousin Sacha]_359-sacha . ” [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} recoiled as if [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} had trodden on a toad . “_[359-sacha] From whom ? ” “_[359-sacha] From [Cousin Sacha]_359-sacha . [Sacha Polozoff]_358-sacha — [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , [I]_0-i suppose [I]_0-i ought to call [her]_358-sacha . ” For a moment there was a dead silence . [The old lady]_{1153-the old lady} ’s face , usually so vacant , was lit up into a terrific energy of anger . “_[358-sacha] What business has [she]_358-sacha to write to [you]_0-i ? ” “_[358-sacha] Well , really , [aunt]_1579-aunt , [I]_0-i do n’t see why [she]_358-sacha should n’t , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[358-sacha] After all , [we]_2103-we are [cousins]_2104-cousins , and [we]_2103-we have never openly quarrelled . ” [[My]_2105-you aunt]_{4294-my aunt} , “_[2105-you] [he]_2105-you explained , turning to [Anne]_171-anne , ” has got a tremendous aversion — a prejudice — towards [this one and only cousin of [mine]_2105-you]_{5275-this one and only cousin of mine} . [She]_{4294-my aunt} disliked [[her]_{4294-my aunt} father]_{4143-her father} , very reasonably , and [I]_2105-you think [she]_{4294-my aunt} has let [her]_{4294-my aunt} dislike descend to [the second generation]_{5277-the second generation} rather unreasonably . “_[2105-you] ” Unreasonably ! “_{[243-mrs macgregor]} exclaimed [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ; ” [you]_2105-you know it was not unreasonable , [Walter]_145-hamlin — [you]_2105-you know what [that Cousin Sacha of [yours]_2105-you]_{5278-that cousin sacha of yours} was in [this house]_{4073-this house} . “_{[243-mrs macgregor]} ” [I]_145-hamlin know nothing of the sort , “_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , angrily . ” [I]_145-hamlin know that [Sacha]_359-sacha lived in [this house]_{4073-this house} as [a child]_{623-a child} ; [I]_145-hamlin know [she]_359-sacha left [it]_{4073-this house} as [a child]_{623-a child} ; [I]_145-hamlin know [we]_5283-we all hated [her]_359-sacha and [hers]_359-sacha , and that perhaps [they]_5283-we deserved it ; but [I]_145-hamlin know that [we]_5283-we have no right to hate [a woman of whom [we]_5283-we know nothing]_{5284-a woman of whom we know nothing} , because [she]_2106-she happened to have been [a badly brought up child]_{5285-a badly brought up child} , years ago . “_[145-hamlin] At all events , ” went on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i insist upon [her]_2106-she being properly treated as [a lady]_{3943-a lady} , and [a relation]_{2108-a relation} . ” “_[0-i] Properly treated ! ” almost foamed out [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} . “_[0-i] Do [you]_0-i mean to say that [she]_2106-she is coming [here]_3884-here ? ” “_[0-i] Not here ; but to [London]_4-london . [[Her]_2106-she husband]_{693-her husband} is dead ; and [she]_2106-she writes to [me]_0-i that [she]_2106-she thinks [she]_2106-she had better send [[her]_2106-she boy]_{2111-her boy} to [an English school]_{2112-an english school} ; and as [the only person in [England]_37-england]_{2113-the only person in england} upon whom [she]_2106-she has a claim — ” “_[2106-she] A pretty claim ! ” interrupted [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . “_[2106-she] As [[her]_2106-she first cousin]_{2114-her first cousin} , [she]_2106-she has written to [me]_0-i for information and assistance . ” “_[2106-she] And [you]_0-i are going to give it [her]_2106-she , [Walter]_145-hamlin ? ” “_[0-i] Of course [I]_0-i am . And [I]_0-i hope , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , that [you]_{247-aunt claudia} will remember that [I]_0-i wo n’t be disgraced towards [a lady who has done [us]_2116-us no harm]_{2115-a lady who has done us no harm} . [She]_2106-she will be in [London]_4-london , most likely , when [we]_2116-us return at the beginning of winter . ” [Anne]_171-anne had heard many allusions to [this Cousin Sacha]_{5287-this cousin sacha} , and they belonged to that class of cynical hints which always made [her]_171-anne indignant with [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . [She]_171-anne instinctively took part with [this unknown woman]_{5288-this unknown woman} , and [she]_171-anne admired [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s decision and generosity . Why did [he]_145-hamlin not always act like this ? “_[2106-she] [That child]_{4205-that child} — that [Sacha]_359-sacha , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had left [them]_5289-them , “_{[4205-that child]} was [the evil genius of [[his]_2119-his house]_{2120-his house}]_{2118-the evil genius of his house} . [She]_{4205-that child} was sent as if to embody all the bad tendencies of [the family]_{2121-the family} . [It]_{2120-his house} was [a miserable house]_{2122-a miserable house} at best , [[my]_0-i brother‐in‐law]_{2123-my brother‐in‐law} ’s , for [he]_2119-his was [a weak , vicious , violent man]_{2124-a weak , vicious , violent man} . But just when [this wretched child]_{2125-this wretched child} was brought to [us]_2126-us [[my]_0-i sister]_{2127-my sister} had died , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin was very much shaken and repentant for the life [he]_145-hamlin had led [her]_{2127-my sister} , and [I]_0-i really believe that [he]_145-hamlin had made up [his]_145-hamlin mind to live decently for the sake of [[his]_145-hamlin children]_{4938-his children} . [The two boys]_{5089-the two boys} were growing up , and there seemed some chance of things going quietly and happily . Then [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin thought fit to invite [home]_4170-home [[his]_145-hamlin sister]_{2131-his sister} , who was [a widow]_{5113-a widow} ; [she]_{2131-his sister} had married [a horrible Russian]_{2133-a horrible russian} , [a sort of indecent madman]_{2134-a sort of indecent madman} , with every possible vice under the sun . [She]_{2131-his sister} was [an odious woman]_{2135-an odious woman} [herself]_{2131-his sister} , [the regular slave‐driving type of [the Hamlins]_{361-the hamlins}]_{2136-the regular slave‐driving type of the hamlins} . Oh , [you]_2137-you ca n’t judge of [them]_2138-them from [Walter]_145-hamlin ; [he]_145-hamlin ’s like [[my]_0-i sister]_{2127-my sister} , not like [them]_2138-them . Well , [she]_{2131-his sister} was violent , and overbearing , and tyrannical , and lazy , and hysterical , like [a regular Jamaica woman]_{2140-a regular jamaica woman} . [She]_{2131-his sister} was enough in [the house]_{509-the house} ; but then [she]_{2131-his sister} had [this child of [hers]_{2131-his sister}]_{2142-this child of hers} , [this Sacha]_{2143-this sacha} , with [her]_{2131-his sister} — a wretched , neglected creature , brought up by [French servants]_{2144-french servants} , who were [[[her]_{2131-his sister} father]_{4143-her father} ’s mistresses , and literally with no more idea of right and wrong than any of [the little heathens whom [they]_{2144-french servants} pick out of gutters in [the East End]_{98-the east end} and send to [reformatories]_{2148-reformatories}]_{2147-the little heathens whom they pick out of gutters in the east end and send to reformatories}]_{2146-her father ’s mistresses , and literally with no more idea of right and wrong than any of the little heathens whom they pick out of gutters in the east end and send to reformatories} . ” “_{[4378-poor child]} [Poor child]_{4378-poor child} ! ” said [Anne]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne shuddered at this glimpse into [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s early life ; it had a horrible attraction for [her]_171-anne , and yet [she]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne would far rather know nothing about it . All this filth seemed to cling to [her]_171-anne mind and soil it . “_{[4378-poor child]} How horrible for [her]_{2131-his sister} ! ” “_{[2131-his sister]} [She]_{2131-his sister} was about twelve when [she]_{2131-his sister} came to [us]_2150-us , ” went on [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} meditatively , “_{[2131-his sister]} and [you]_2151-you could n’t believe that [such a child]_{2152-such a child} could exist in [Christendom]_{99-christendom} . [She]_{2131-his sister} could no more spell the simplest word than [I]_0-i can speak Arabic ; [she]_{2131-his sister} spoke an awful jargon of English and French and Russian and German , and [she]_{2131-his sister} used to talk about things , and repeat stories which [she]_{2131-his sister} had heard from [[her]_{2131-his sister} nurses]_{2153-her nurses} , or [[her]_{2131-his sister} father]_{4143-her father} , or [[[her]_{2131-his sister} father]_{4143-her father} ’s friends]_{2156-her father ’s friends} — [I]_0-i do n’t know whom — that were enough to make [your]_2151-you hair stand on end . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin was in perfect despair ; because , although [he]_145-hamlin was [a vicious sort of man [himself]_145-hamlin , and quite did [[my]_0-i poor sister]_{2158-my poor sister}]_{2157-a vicious sort of man himself , and quite did my poor sister} to death with [his]_145-hamlin bad conduct , [he]_145-hamlin was awfully strict about all [his]_145-hamlin kith and kin , and kept [the boys]_{2159-the boys} as tight as if [he]_145-hamlin had been [a Puritan]_{2160-a puritan} . What [we]_2161-we all had to go through , [you]_2151-you have no idea . At first [I]_0-i was quite ashamed to let [any governess]_{2162-any governess} see [such a little heathen as that child]_{2163-such a little heathen as that child} was , and [we]_2161-we had to pay [the governesses]_{2164-the governesses} double wages to keep [them]_{2164-the governesses} on . Then , every time that [they]_{2164-the governesses} tried to break [Sacha]_359-sacha off some one of [her]_359-sacha disgusting ways , [[her]_359-sacha mother]_{1278-her mother} , who was always moaning and groaning with imaginary maladies on [her]_{1278-her mother} sofa , and no more thought of [[her]_{1278-her mother} daughter]_{2166-her daughter} than of [the man in the moon]_{2167-the man in the moon} , would go into hysterics and throw things in [their]_{2164-the governesses} face , and have [them]_{2164-the governesses} turned away , and keep [Sacha]_359-sacha for a day in [[her]_359-sacha room]_{1374-her room} , kissing [her]_359-sacha and giving [her]_359-sacha sweets . Well , [we]_2161-we thought [we]_2161-we were little by little getting the better of [her]_359-sacha ; and then , thank goodness , [Madame Polozoff]_{362-madame polozoff} , that was [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s sister]_{2169-mr hamlin ’s sister} , died . [Sacha]_359-sacha learned a few things , and began to behave a little more like [a Christian child]_{2170-a christian child} ; but it was only on the surface . [She]_359-sacha was utterly and thoroughly corrupt . When [the boys]_{2159-the boys} returned from [school]_1094-school ( [Arnold]_340-arnold was sixteen , and [Walter]_145-hamlin seventeen ) , the mischief began . [That wretched [Sacha]_359-sacha]_{2173-that wretched sacha} fell madly in love with [Walter]_145-hamlin , and began running after [him]_145-hamlin ; but [Walter]_145-hamlin perfectly loathed the sight of [her]_359-sacha : [he]_145-hamlin was always [the cold , moral , irreproachable sort of creature that [he]_145-hamlin is]_{2174-the cold , moral , irreproachable sort of creature that he is} . Then [she]_359-sacha went after [Arnold]_340-arnold . [Arnold]_340-arnold was much [the livelier of [the two]_{1016-the two}]_{2175-the livelier of the two} : [he]_340-arnold was [a dear , warm‐ hearted , simple sort of boy]_{2177-a dear , warm‐ hearted , simple sort of boy} , [a perfect scapegrace]_{2178-a perfect scapegrace} , always in pickles , but [we]_2179-we only liked [him]_340-arnold the better . But [that wretched Sacha]_359-sacha ( [he]_340-arnold did n’t care a rap about [her]_359-sacha either , for [she]_359-sacha was a horrid , lying , sickly , stunted little thing ) , in order to curry favour with [him]_340-arnold , put [him]_340-arnold up to all sorts of mischief , which [I]_0-i suppose [she]_359-sacha had learned from [[her]_359-sacha precious father]_{2180-her precious father} and [[his]_{2180-her precious father} servants]_{2181-his servants} . What was [poor Arnold]_340-arnold to know ? [The nasty little fiend]_{2182-the nasty little fiend} used to get out of bed and unlock the house‐door for [him]_340-arnold , so that [he]_340-arnold might go in and out at night and get into scrapes with [the village girls]_{2183-the village girls} , and drink at [the pot‐house]_{2184-the pot‐house} ; and [she]_359-sacha used to steal the wine and the brandy out of the cupboards for [him]_340-arnold , and teach [him]_340-arnold all sorts of ungentlemanly , knavish , lying ways ; [I]_0-i believe [she]_359-sacha used even to give [him]_340-arnold money out of [her]_359-sacha savings , just for [him]_340-arnold to go to [the pot‐house]_{2184-the pot‐house} . If ever [a boy]_{2186-a boy} was ruined by [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , poor [Arnold]_340-arnold was ruined by [that miserable Sacha]_359-sacha . Then , in return for [her]_359-sacha assistance and [her]_359-sacha lies and [her]_359-sacha money , [he]_340-arnold had to pretend to like [her]_359-sacha , to kiss [her]_359-sacha , and call [her]_359-sacha [[his]_340-arnold darling little cousin]_{2188-his darling little cousin} , and promise to marry [her]_359-sacha , whom [he]_340-arnold abominated . Meanwhile [Walter]_145-hamlin went dreaming on as [he]_145-hamlin always has , avoiding [Sacha]_359-sacha like the plague , and not perceiving any of the pretty doings of [[his]_145-hamlin brother]_{5101-his brother} ; and [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who thought that [[his]_145-hamlin house]_{2120-his house} , just because [it]_{2120-his house} was [[his]_145-hamlin house]_{2120-his house} , must be [the palace of virtue]_{2192-the palace of virtue} , and [[his]_145-hamlin son]_{2193-his son} , because [he]_{2193-his son} was [[his]_145-hamlin son]_{2193-his son} , must be [the most obedient and austere boy in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{2195-the most obedient and austere boy in the world} , took to liking [Sacha]_359-sacha and [her]_359-sacha pretty , foreign little ways , and to think [her]_359-sacha quite [a nice little girl]_{2197-a nice little girl} , just [the wife for one of [[his]_145-hamlin sons]_{2199-his sons}]_{2198-the wife for one of his sons} . Then one day ( [I]_0-i suppose [Sacha]_359-sacha thought that poor [Arnold]_340-arnold did not kiss [her]_359-sacha and [darling little Sacha]_359-sacha [her]_359-sacha enough , or got jealous or something ) [they]_2200-they had a great row , and [Arnold]_340-arnold called [her]_359-sacha [a liar]_{2201-a liar} , and said that if [she]_359-sacha were not [a girl]_{4122-a girl} [he]_340-arnold would thrash [her]_359-sacha well . So [Sacha]_359-sacha rushed off sobbing to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and told [him]_145-hamlin that [Arnold]_340-arnold had called [her]_359-sacha [a liar]_{2201-a liar} , and had threatened to beat [her]_359-sacha ; and [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin called [Arnold]_340-arnold , and struck [him]_340-arnold in the face till [his]_340-arnold nose bled , and called [him]_340-arnold [a coward]_{2204-a coward} and [a brute]_{4487-a brute} , and swore [he]_145-hamlin would cut [him]_340-arnold off with a shilling . Then it all came out about [Arnold]_340-arnold ’s escapades , [his]_340-arnold nights at [the pot‐house]_{2184-the pot‐house} , and so forth ; and of course [[his]_340-arnold father]_{2207-his father} said that all [he]_{2207-his father} said about [Sacha]_359-sacha ’s putting [him]_340-arnold up to it was a pack of lies , and finally it ended with [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin behaving in such a way that poor [Arnold]_340-arnold ran away to [America]_7-america . Then [we]_2208-we had no news of [him]_340-arnold for about six months , and [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin wanted to take [Walter]_145-hamlin into [his]_145-hamlin good graces , although [he]_145-hamlin had never cared for [him]_145-hamlin , and [Sacha]_359-sacha tried to make up to [Walter]_145-hamlin . But [Walter]_145-hamlin also ran away to [[his]_145-hamlin uncle]_{1281-his uncle} , because [he]_145-hamlin said [he]_145-hamlin would not stay unless [Arnold]_340-arnold was recalled , or at least money were sent to [him]_340-arnold . So [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin had to give in and send for [Arnold]_340-arnold ; but meanwhile [he]_145-hamlin had quarrelled with [Sacha]_359-sacha , and packed [her]_359-sacha off to [[her]_359-sacha Russian relatives]_{2210-her russian relatives} , who sent [her]_359-sacha to [some German deaconesses on [the Rhine]_{54-the rhine}]_{2211-some german deaconesses on the rhine} — [a nice child to bring up]_{2212-a nice child to bring up} ! [Walter]_145-hamlin returned , and began to prepare for [the university]_{2213-the university} ; then [Arnold]_340-arnold was got back from [America]_7-america ; but [he]_340-arnold had only got into worse and worse ways — [he]_340-arnold was always drunk , and finally [his]_340-arnold mind began to give way . [Poor Arnold]_341-arnold ! [he]_340-arnold was much , much nicer than [Walter]_145-hamlin — such [a bright , good‐humoured , manly fellow]_{2214-a bright , good‐humoured , manly fellow} — and now . . . ” “_[340-arnold] Now ? ” repeated [Anne]_171-anne in astonishment ; [she]_171-anne had listened without saying a word to this horrible page of family history . “_[340-arnold] Now ? Do [you]_2215-you mean that [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s brother]_{2216-mr hamlin ’s brother} is alive ? ” [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} looked at [her]_171-anne with strange wide eyes . “_{[2216-mr hamlin ’s brother]} Of course [he]_{2216-mr hamlin ’s brother} is . [We]_2217-we say [he]_{2216-mr hamlin ’s brother} is dead ; or if not dead , mad . Well , [he]_{2216-mr hamlin ’s brother} might as soon be either , [poor boy]_{2218-poor boy} . [He]_{2216-mr hamlin ’s brother} wanders about with [a servant]_{4125-a servant} . [Walter]_145-hamlin allows [him]_{2216-mr hamlin ’s brother} some money . [We]_2217-we never talk of [him]_{2216-mr hamlin ’s brother} . Ah ! ” cried [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , and it was a kind of suppressed cry of pain—“and_[358-sacha] that it is all , all owing to [Sacha Polozoff]_358-sacha ; and [she]_358-sacha has the insolence to write to [Walter]_145-hamlin ! ” [Anne]_171-anne did not know what to say . “_[358-sacha] But , ” [she]_171-anne could not help saying after a minute , for it seemed to [her]_171-anne as if the whole story were so unjust , so one‐sided , as if there were so much too much laid at the door of [the unhappy , neglected , corrupt child]_{5290-the unhappy , neglected , corrupt child} — so much too little pity or indignation shown at [her]_171-anne having been thus neglected and [corrupted,—“but]_{363-corrupted,—“but[247-aunt claudia]} , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} — is it fair to put it all down to [Sacha]_358-sacha ? After all , [Arnold]_341-arnold was sixteen , [he]_341-arnold was [a man]_{503-a man} , [he]_341-arnold had been decently brought up — and [she]_2221-she , [she]_2221-she was [an ignorant child]_{2222-an ignorant child} , brought up as [you]_2223-you say without idea of right or wrong . Do n’t [you]_2223-you think — oh , do n’t [you]_2223-you think , [auntie dear]_{2224-auntie dear} , that it was mainly the fault of [old Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and [his]_145-hamlin bad example , and [his]_145-hamlin closing [his]_145-hamlin eyes to [[his]_145-hamlin boy]_{2225-his boy} ’s behaviour ? ” It seemed to [her]_2221-she so frightful that [a girl]_{4122-a girl} , [a child]_{623-a child} , [a victim]_{5293-a victim} , just because [she]_{4122-a girl} was [a victim]_{5293-a victim} , should have such a weight of guilt thrown upon [her]_{4122-a girl} . “_[145-hamlin] [She]_2221-she was [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , and [he]_145-hamlin was [a man]_{503-a man} , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} fiercely , [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} love for [[her]_{243-mrs macgregor} lost nephew]_{5295-her lost nephew} , and [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} strange theories of sexual influences mixing grotesquely and tragically—“and_{[3960-a woman]} [a woman]_{3960-a woman} can always do what [she]_{3960-a woman} will with [a man]_{503-a man} ; [a woman]_{3960-a woman} can always , unless [she]_{3960-a woman} be as weak as [[my]_0-i poor sister]_{2158-my poor sister} , ruin or save [a Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ever since [Walter]_145-hamlin ’s great‐uncle [Mordaunt]_144-hamlin went to the bad , even worse than poor [Arnold]_341-arnold . ” “_[2232-them] Some of [them]_2232-them , ” [she]_0-i said after a moment , “_[2232-them] are good , and some are bad : [[my]_0-i brother‐in‐law]_{2123-my brother‐in‐law} was bad — [Arnold]_341-arnold was good , and [Walter]_145-hamlin is good ; but [they]_2232-them are all as weak as water , these [Hamlins]_{361-the hamlins} — weak in goodness or badness , [every one of [them]_2232-them]_{2234-every one of them} . ” [Anne]_171-anne sighed . And as [she]_171-anne walked through [the big , stately rooms of [Wotton House]_{100-wotton house}]_{5296-the big , stately rooms of wotton house} , [she]_171-anne thought of the horrible scenes which had happened in [there]_4426-there ; of the waste of life by violence and vice and neglect which [they]_2232-them had witnessed ; especially of [that wretched , vicious child]_{5298-that wretched , vicious child} , held so terribly responsible for the folly and wickedness of others . And the sense of the terrible power of circumstances , of the degradation into which [others]_4163-others may lead one , or out of which [others]_4163-others may raise one , which had been silently growing in [her]_171-anne as [she]_171-anne watched [the world]_{496-the world} in [her]_171-anne tragic way , came over [her]_171-anne with a terrifying rush ; and [she]_171-anne felt , half in anxiety at scarcely escaped danger , half in joy at safety , a tumult of gratitude when [she]_171-anne remembered how [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin had raised [her]_171-anne up , led [her]_171-anne out of the way of all temptation and evil contact , and left [her]_171-anne safe and strong as [she]_171-anne knew [herself]_171-anne to be . As the summer changed into autumn , [the guests at [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall}]_{5302-the guests at wotton hall} were gradually renewed . [Chough]_248-chough remained , and at [Anne]_171-anne ’s particular desire sent for [[his]_145-hamlin two little girls]_{5303-his two little girls} , sad , strange , Cockney creatures , to whom [the large house]_{5107-the large house} , [the garden]_{675-the garden} , the country walks and country sights , were as things of [another world]_{1540-another world} . But [the Spencers]_{342-the spencers} , [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , and [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} departed ; and in [their]_{5303-his two little girls} place arrived [the two Leigh girls]_{5307-the two leigh girls} and [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . [The last‐named gentleman]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} did not by any means strike [Anne]_171-anne as a fascinating being . [He]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} was [a stumpy , high‐shouldered , thick‐set little man]_{5309-a stumpy , high‐shouldered , thick‐set little man} , always very slackly dressed , with small , rather handsome features , and a profusion of curly reddish hair and beard , which made [his]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} face look even more like unbaked dough than it might otherwise have done . [Some people]_{5310-some people} considered [him]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} very handsome , and it was obvious that [he]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} [himself]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} felt as if [he]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} were tall ; for [he]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} stumped and slouched in and out of [rooms]_5311-rooms with [his]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} hands in [his]_{5308-the last‐named gentleman} pockets , and dropped on to chairs and sofas with the heavy importance of gait of [a Hercules]_{5312-a hercules} . Nothing could be more comic than the contrast between [this lumbering and solemn redhaired dwarf]_{5313-this lumbering and solemn redhaired dwarf} and [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , black , fierce , alert , courteous , and grandiloquent . [Lewis]_353-lewis was silent ; but when [he]_353-lewis spoke [he]_353-lewis fixed [his]_353-lewis handsome eyes searchingly upon one , and either trailed [his]_353-lewis voice along with slow emphasis , or answered in monosyllables , which left in [you]_5314-you an uncomfortable feeling of having made some inappropriate or impertinent remark . [He]_353-lewis had , moreover , lips of the colour of the very best sealing‐wax ; a peculiarity which , while decidedly adding to the pictorial value of [a red‐haired man]_{5315-a red‐haired man} , has a something quite particularly repulsive to [certain people , among whom [Anne Brown]_171-anne]_{5316-certain people , among whom anne brown} must be counted . However , [she]_171-anne tried to like [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} . In some respects [he]_353-lewis was a more genuine personality than [Chough]_248-chough , or [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , or almost [any other of [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s æsthetic friends]_{5318-hamlin ’s æsthetic friends}]_{5317-any other of hamlin ’s æsthetic friends} . [He]_353-lewis did not make [himself]_353-lewis up — manner , appearance , ideas , or words — to look like anything which [he]_353-lewis was not , or at all events which [he]_353-lewis did not thoroughly believe [himself]_353-lewis to be ; and [he]_353-lewis was , moreover , much more in the way of will and definite tendencies , and felt [himself]_353-lewis ( however mistakenly ) to be much more in the way of power , character , and importance , than [any other man whom [Anne]_171-anne had ever come across , except [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Richard]_{223-richard brown} , between whom and [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis there existed , despite a thousand differences , a certain resemblance]_{5319-any other man whom anne had ever come across , except her cousin richard , between whom and edmund lewis there existed , despite a thousand differences , a certain resemblance} . And perhaps it was exactly this resemblance to [Richard Brown,—a man whom [Anne]_171-anne did not exactly like]_{5321-richard brown,—a man whom anne did not exactly like} , nay , who even occasionally repelled [her]_171-anne a little , but of whose power and truthfulness and generosity [Anne]_171-anne could not doubt,—perhaps it was this resemblance , however vague it might be , which made [Anne]_171-anne for some time believe that [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , little as [he]_353-lewis pleased [her]_171-anne , might be [a remarkable sort of man]_{5322-a remarkable sort of man} , and treat [Chough]_248-chough ’s insinuations against [him]_353-lewis as merely another instance of that childish unreasonableness of likings and dislikings , which , together with vanity and weakness of will , [she]_171-anne had got to associate with a poetic endowment . Over [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , at all events , [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis had an undeniable influence ; an influence which [he]_353-lewis [himself]_353-lewis avowedly attributed to [his]_353-lewis magnetic powers , which [he]_353-lewis would exert , or imagine that [he]_353-lewis exerted , sitting lazily opposite [[his]_353-lewis friends]_{893-his friends} or [victims]_5324-victims , staring vaguely at [them]_5324-victims and speaking in [his]_353-lewis slow , important voice . [He]_353-lewis was [a painter]_{500-a painter} , in an irregular sort of way , [himself]_353-lewis , and took much more interest in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s art than in [his]_353-lewis poetry ; so that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who was sick of versifying for the moment , had a fit of painting once more , and spent hours locked up in [[his]_145-hamlin studio]_{1124-his studio} with [Lewis]_353-lewis , while [poor Cosmo Chough]_248-chough was more and more thrown upon [Anne]_171-anne and [[her]_171-anne friends]_{1459-her friends} . But [the girls]_{1418-the girls} had got to understand [Chough]_248-chough , and the fund of kindness and self‐sacrificing gentleness which was hidden beneath [the little man]_{4944-the little man} ’s poetical thin‐skinnedness and the queer poetical veneer of mystic wickedness which [he]_353-lewis [himself]_353-lewis did not understand . [He]_353-lewis could not by any possibility be broken of [his]_353-lewis tendency to talk overmuch about [Messalina]_{365-messalina} , [Lucretia Borgia]_{275-lucretia borgia} , and [La Belle Heaulmière]_{366-la belle heaulmière} ; but by this time it was quite obvious that [he]_353-lewis had not the smallest experience of [ladies of any such character]_{5330-ladies of any such character} , still less the faintest thought of giving offence by [his]_353-lewis allusions to [them]_{5330-ladies of any such character} . To [Anne]_171-anne [he]_353-lewis was utterly devoted : [he]_353-lewis was fascinated by [her]_171-anne beauty , afraid of its tragic earnestness , afraid of [her]_171-anne downright , quiet manner , afraid of [her]_171-anne silent contemptuousness , of [her]_171-anne uncompromising censoriousness ; but if ever [a person]_{1140-a person} appreciated [Anne]_171-anne ’s kindness , [her]_171-anne energy , [her]_171-anne imperious desire of helping [others]_4163-others , it was [Chough]_248-chough . [Anne]_171-anne had often spoken to [him]_353-lewis about the neglected education of [[his]_353-lewis little girls]_{5333-his little girls} ; not reproachfully , for [she]_171-anne knew but too well on what it depended , but trying to stir [him]_353-lewis up to resist the sort of fatality which seemed to hang over [his]_353-lewis family concerns . And now [she]_171-anne insisted on taking [the children]_{3862-the children} ’s education into [her]_171-anne own hands , until [Chough]_248-chough should be able to afford sending [them]_{3862-the children} to [a proper school]_{5335-a proper school} . Perhaps the thought of [that neglected , unconsciously corrupted , terribly responsible little heathen girl , who had done so much mischief in [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} fifteen years before]_{5336-that neglected , unconsciously corrupted , terribly responsible little heathen girl , who had done so much mischief in wotton hall fifteen years before} , had something to do with [Anne]_171-anne ’s energetic behaviour towards [the little Choughs]_{367-the little choughs} — to whom , every morning regularly , [she]_171-anne gave a two hours ’ lesson in grammar and writing and history , as complete as if [she]_171-anne had been [a schoolmistress]_{5337-a schoolmistress} and [they]_{3862-the children} [[her]_171-anne pupils]_{5338-her pupils} ; until [[their]_{3862-the children} father]_{902-their father} , astonished at [their]_{3862-the children} unexpected development of human faculties , took it in [his]_{902-their father} head to turn [them]_{3862-the children} into [first‐rate musicians]_{5340-first‐rate musicians} , and actually got up at six in the morning to teach [them]_{3862-the children} the piano , while [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [Lewis]_353-lewis were still asleep . [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , who had considered [Anne]_171-anne in the light of [an irresponsible but decidedly objectionable æsthetic villain on [her]_171-anne departure from [London]_4-london]_{5341-an irresponsible but decidedly objectionable æsthetic villain on her departure from london} , looked on in puzzled amazement . [She]_249-marjory could not understand how [any one so beautiful , so versed in useless literature and useless art]_{5342-any one so beautiful , so versed in useless literature and useless art} , [any one whom [[her]_249-marjory foolish elder sister]_{5344-her foolish elder sister} foolishly adored]_{5343-any one whom her foolish elder sister foolishly adored} , could be anxious and able to make [herself]_249-marjory of use in [the world]_{496-the world} . And even [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , in [her]_{324-mary leigh} gentle , ironical way , was astonished at [Anne]_171-anne ’s new vocation , and adored [her]_{324-mary leigh} all the more enthusiastically for it . [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} hinted , in [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} affectionate cynical manner , that [Anne]_171-anne was mistaking for a desire to be useful to [[Chough]_248-chough ’s children]_{5346-chough ’s children} the mere imperious necessity of caring for some one , which was the vicarious form of love ; and prophesied archly that , once married , [Anne]_171-anne would soon be satisfied with uselessness . [Anne]_171-anne smiled contemptuously at [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s theories . Yet [she]_171-anne was as unaware as was [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} [herself]_{243-mrs macgregor} , that there was indeed an imperious necessity in [her]_171-anne nature — a necessity more personal , more selfish , and more terrible than [her]_171-anne mere desire to be of use . In these four months [Anne]_171-anne had gradually , and hitherto unconsciously , ceased to love [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as [she]_171-anne had formerly loved [him]_145-hamlin . Like many of [the most powerful and passionate natures]_{5347-the most powerful and passionate natures} , [Anne]_171-anne had a fatal tendency to love ideally and love the ideal ; not so much to invest with unreal qualities the object of [her]_171-anne passion , but to conceive a passion for an impersonal creation of [her]_171-anne own , an amalgamation of [her]_171-anne own ardent and confused aspirations after an unknown excellence ; and then to identify the object of this strange intellectual and moral passion with [the first real person who struck [her]_171-anne as excellent and noble and beautiful , or who appealed strongly to [her]_171-anne sympathies and [her]_171-anne gratitude]_{5348-the first real person who struck her as excellent and noble and beautiful , or who appealed strongly to her sympathies and her gratitude} . Of love in the ordinary sense , such a nature is wellnigh incapable ; and the devotion due to [real imperfect creatures]_{5349-real imperfect creatures} , pity and sympathy with weakness , the devotion due to a sense of duty , although it may be intense and tender in [such people]_{5350-such people} , comes only on later , when the first splendid idol has been shattered , and whatever passion there is must be given , in humbleness or sorrow , to the unsatisfying realities of [this world]_{5351-this world} . With such a nature and such tendencies , [Anne]_171-anne had been met , when young , ignorant , and friendless , by an indistinct yet real personality — by [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who had done for [her]_171-anne more than [any other man]_{5352-any other man} had ever done for [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ; and in this vaguely seen [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , known at first only as [a servant]_{4125-a servant} knows [the brilliant guest of [the house]_{509-the house}]_{5355-the brilliant guest of the house} , [a model the painter to whom [she]_171-anne is sitting — and then known at a distance , in letters which were the unreal efflorescence of [a poet]_{498-a poet} ’s mind,—in this vaguely seen [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , to whom [she]_171-anne owed [her]_171-anne new life , and who was surrounded by all the beautiful things and ideas which that new life represented]_{5357-a model the painter to whom she is sitting — and then known at a distance , in letters which were the unreal efflorescence of a poet ’s mind,—in this vaguely seen hamlin , to whom she owed her new life , and who was surrounded by all the beautiful things and ideas which that new life represented} , [Anne Brown]_171-anne had incarnated the ideal of good and beauty towards which [her]_171-anne simple , self‐unconscious , energetic soul so strenuously aspired . Such a love as this must be transformed into something less exalted , or must die out unsatisfied , whatever [the person who feels it]_{5359-the person who feels it} or [the person with whom it is connected]_{5360-the person with whom it is connected} : the real , however excellent , can never satisfy the craving after the ideal ; [a living individual]_{5361-a living individual} can never quiet desires which have no individual object , which are mere dumb and violent activities of [a too powerful soul]_{5362-a too powerful soul} . But [Anne]_171-anne was not [the kind of woman in whom simpler and less exacting instincts , in whom ordinary love , can gradually supplant such an ideal passion]_{5363-the kind of woman in whom simpler and less exacting instincts , in whom ordinary love , can gradually supplant such an ideal passion} ; and what was worse , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was not the man who could substitute for [an impossible and unapproachable creature of the imagination]_{5364-an impossible and unapproachable creature of the imagination} , [a less perfect , but more appealing , more attaching , more lovable creature of reality]_{5365-a less perfect , but more appealing , more attaching , more lovable creature of reality} . [No man that ever breathed]_{5366-no man that ever breathed} could have satisfied cravings which were in reality not after [a man]_{503-a man} , but after a higher life , a more complete activity , a nobler aim ; but [Hamlin]_145-hamlin fell short not merely of [Anne]_171-anne ’s ideal , but also , in many things , even of the reality of [Anne]_171-anne [herself]_171-anne , and of all [she]_171-anne could understand and sympathise with . The ecstatic devotion had speedily given way in [her]_171-anne to a more sober kind of admiration and affection ; but now , little by little , that also was being invaded , transformed piecemeal here and there , by doubt , contempt , and disgust . [Anne]_171-anne ’s eyes had gradually opened to the fact that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was vain , thin‐skinned , professionally jealous , and afraid of the judgment , as [he]_145-hamlin was avid of the praise , of [[his]_145-hamlin own inferiors]_{5368-his own inferiors} ; and that , in the negative line , [he]_145-hamlin was without strong likings , enthusiasms , or aspirations ; and the negative qualities affected [her]_171-anne more than the positive ones : to [her]_171-anne the coldness of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s sympathies was more painful than the weakness of [his]_145-hamlin nature . Vaguely and gradually these things had dawned upon [Anne]_171-anne ; and [she]_171-anne could no more deny [their]_5369-their existence than [she]_171-anne could persuade [herself]_171-anne that a grey English autumn day was brilliant as an Italian summer morning . But of late things had happened , like that incident of the suppressed “_{[361-the hamlins]} Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} , ” and of the self‐slandering sonnets which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked upon with such complacency , which had given [her]_171-anne glimpses into something worse than [she]_171-anne could well believe in , worse than [she]_171-anne had the heart to look into . These [she]_171-anne cast behind [her]_171-anne , thinking of them as little as possible , trying to consider them as hallucinations , or at all events , gross exaggerations of [her]_171-anne own : [she]_171-anne must have misunderstood ; such things could not be . [She]_171-anne tried to settle [her]_171-anne love of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin on a real and more solid basis . [She]_171-anne fully admitted to [herself]_171-anne that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had weaknesses,—the weaknesses which [she]_171-anne remarked in so many of [the men around him,—weaknesses]_{5370-the men around him,—weaknesses} going together with the fine qualities of [the poet]_{5371-the poet} ’s nature,—weaknesses which , [Anne]_171-anne was beginning to suspect , [every one]_{4712-every one} had ( forgetting that [she]_171-anne had not ) , or at least something equivalent thereunto . [She]_171-anne admitted to [herself]_171-anne that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was weak ; nay , to do so was a sort of relief . That [Hamlin]_145-hamlin should come of [a family infirm of will and often vicious]_{5373-a family infirm of will and often vicious} , that [he]_145-hamlin should have been brought up surrounded by vice and violence engendered by weakness ; this notion , due partly to [her]_171-anne own observations , and confirmed by [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s confidences , explained so much away , and left room for so much : it explained all the wretched part of [his]_145-hamlin nature , it left room for all the good , for the gentleness , the generosity , the chivalric spirit which had made [Anne]_171-anne what [she]_171-anne was ; and it let [her]_171-anne hope , every now and then , that better might be in store . For since the evil was merely negative and the good so thorough and so positive , surely the good would vanquish the evil . And , looking at [the people who surrounded [Hamlin,—at]_{368-hamlin,—at} [these vain , weak , unreal poets]_{5375-these vain , weak , unreal poets} and [artists]_1500-artists]_{5374-the people who surrounded hamlin,—at these vain , weak , unreal poets and artists} , at [this whole school of people who , whatever [their]_{5374-the people who surrounded hamlin,—at these vain , weak , unreal poets and artists} private life , affected to live only for selfish enjoyment of beauty and selfish interest in sin,—Anne]_{5377-this whole school of people who , whatever their private life , affected to live only for selfish enjoyment of beauty and selfish interest in sin,—anne} used often to think that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was in the position of a sort of [Rinaldo]_369-rinaldo , [the noblest of [all heroes]_{5379-all heroes}]_{5378-the noblest of all heroes} , degraded into mean sloth by the Armida of æstheticism , but requiring only the shrill of the trumpet and the clash of arms from [the real living world]_{5380-the real living world} to be redeemed and to show [himself]_145-hamlin in [[his]_145-hamlin real nobility]_{5381-his real nobility} . [She]_171-anne would even exaggerate [her]_171-anne aversion or contempt for [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s companions]_{5382-hamlin ’s companions} and for [[his]_145-hamlin school]_{5209-his school} ; the worse [they]_{5374-the people who surrounded hamlin,—at these vain , weak , unreal poets and artists} were , the more excuse for [him]_145-hamlin ; and [she]_171-anne would often sit dreaming of the way in which [he]_145-hamlin might be gradually got from under [their]_{5374-the people who surrounded hamlin,—at these vain , weak , unreal poets and artists} influence , and brought in contact with those stronger , more healthy , or more terrible realities , which [Anne]_171-anne ’s nature , by a kind of occult sympathy , felt in [the world]_{496-the world} all round , as the birds and insects will feel the storm which is still invisible beyond [the hills]_{5385-the hills} , but which is coming to purify , and shake , and revive . And so [Anne]_171-anne went on loving and hoping , and believing [herself]_171-anne to be happy . But there began to be a strange restlessness about [her]_171-anne ; a desire to be useful , to be perpetually active in something , to be always trying to understand , and sympathise , and help — an imperious necessity not to be left to [her]_171-anne own thoughts ( those thoughts which had once been like a paradise , in which solitude was the highest bliss ) . For , alone with [her]_171-anne own thoughts , [Anne]_171-anne was beginning to experience an intolerable sense of isolation , and intolerable sense of impotence . IN this condition of mind [Anne]_171-anne was violently impelled towards [the two Leigh girls]_{5307-the two leigh girls} ; and strongly induced to take an aversion to [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . For [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} represented every day more and more the influence which was strengthening [her]_171-anne , the influence which might revive [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; and [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis seemed sent as an incarnation of those tendencies which , in [her]_171-anne belief , had marred the nobility of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s nature . [Anne]_171-anne ’s unmistakable desire to know what was going on in the striving and suffering world outside [the strongholds of æstheticism]_{5387-the strongholds of æstheticism} , to help in it to [her]_171-anne utmost ; to be , what [the people believing only in beauty and passion]_{5388-the people believing only in beauty and passion} could not conceive , responsible,—all this intense striving got the better of [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory ’s prejudices . [She]_249-marjory began to understand that [she]_249-marjory had found in [Anne]_171-anne [a zealous lieutenant]_{5389-a zealous lieutenant} ; nay , after some time , [the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} admitted to [herself]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} that [Anne]_171-anne was a force for work and good which dragged even [her]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} along , making [her]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} , by the influence of [her]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} complete unselfishness , self‐unconsciousness , and energy , more ready to examine into [her]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} own mode of doing things , to sift [her]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} vanity from [her]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} humanitarianism . “_{[361-the hamlins]} [Anne]_171-anne does make one less conceited , ” [Marjory]_249-marjory one day remarked to [[her]_249-marjory sister]_{603-her sister} , waking up from a long reverie—“less_[171-anne] conceited and less narrow , [I]_0-i do believe . It ’s such a revelation ; and somehow it makes [one]_620-one feel just a little bit ashamed , to find such honesty and determination in an æsthete . After that , [people]_577-people do n’t seem to be so hopelessly lost — do [they]_577-people ? [I]_0-i fear [I]_0-i must have been [a rather bigoted sort of brute formerly]_{2237-a rather bigoted sort of brute formerly} , ” and [Marjory]_249-marjory pushed [her]_249-marjory fingers through [her]_249-marjory short , lank yellow hair , and looked up at [[her]_249-marjory sister]_{603-her sister} with [her]_{5390-the conscientious though somewhat pig‐headed and conceited young philanthropist} childish , resolute , defiant face , not yet puzzled by the sad experience of the difficulty of doing good , and of the dangerousness of even the wisest theories . [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} smiled . [She]_{324-mary leigh} was proud of [[her]_{324-mary leigh} little sister]_{5393-her little sister} ; and [she]_{324-mary leigh} was , in a sort of a way , in love with [Anne Brown]_171-anne . [Marjory]_249-marjory thought [her]_{324-mary leigh} rather æsthetic and spiritless , [she]_249-marjory knew ; and [Anne]_171-anne was absorbed in [her]_171-anne own thoughts ; but [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} was one of [those girls who can resign [themselves]_{5394-those girls who can resign themselves cheerfully to being second best , as long as they are the best in their power} cheerfully to being second best , as long as [they]_{5394-those girls who can resign themselves cheerfully to being second best , as long as they are the best in their power} are the best in [their]_{5394-those girls who can resign themselves cheerfully to being second best , as long as they are the best in their power} power]_{5394-those girls who can resign themselves cheerfully to being second best , as long as they are the best in their power} — to be happy in [her]_{324-mary leigh} devotion , even if it be unreciprocated ; and [she]_{324-mary leigh} was happy , in a subdued way — proud of [Marjory]_249-marjory and adoring [Anne]_171-anne , and seeing that [the two somewhat unresponsive objects of [her]_{324-mary leigh} love]_{5395-the two somewhat unresponsive objects of her love} could now appreciate [one another]_{1971-one another} . So much for [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} . But if [their]_{5394-those girls who can resign themselves cheerfully to being second best , as long as they are the best in their power} presence at [Wotton]_94-wotton was a support and a consolation to [Anne]_171-anne , the presence of [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis very soon grew to be a positive source of disgust . At first , in [his]_353-lewis egotistic , silently brow‐beating way , [he]_353-lewis was [an interesting visitor]_{5397-an interesting visitor} . [He]_353-lewis had travelled and read a good deal , and , in point of fact , knew much more about literature than about [his]_353-lewis own art . [His]_353-lewis imagination turned easily to the terrible ; [he]_353-lewis considered [Webster]_370-webster as greater than [Shakespeare]_{309-shakespeare} , and [Ford]_319-ford as greater than [Webster]_370-webster ; [he]_353-lewis had personal experiences of more or less criminal persons , whose acquaintance , for the sake of morbid psychology , [he]_353-lewis had sought , and whose characteristics [he]_353-lewis had lovingly studied ; while in reality mild and even milk‐soppish in [his]_353-lewis habits , [he]_353-lewis seemed to experience a fascination from violence and bloodshed . For a week or so [he]_353-lewis was decidedly interesting , if not , to [Anne]_171-anne and [[her]_171-anne two girl‐friends]_{5398-her two girl‐friends} , attractive . But hostility soon arose . [He]_353-lewis was [a fervid spiritualist]_{5399-a fervid spiritualist} , and a great adept in mesmerising ; [his]_353-lewis vanity made [him]_353-lewis see [mediums]_5400-mediums , victims of [his]_353-lewis will‐power , everywhere . [He]_353-lewis immediately discovered one in [Anne]_171-anne , and begged to be permitted to try [his]_353-lewis tricks , as [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory called them . Now , if there was one thing which was more abhorrent to [Anne]_171-anne than any other , it was spiritualism : averse to mysticism like [every Italian]_{5401-every italian} ; prosaic and common‐sense , perhaps just in proportion to the idealism of passion and aspiration , [she]_171-anne was impatient of the vulgar mysteriousness of modern magic ; while at the same time [her]_171-anne powerful personality , [her]_171-anne austere will ( which [she]_171-anne always recognised as the most precious part of [her]_171-anne nature ) , which took umbrage at [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s theories of obedience to mere physical passions , was positively insulted by the notion of surrender to the perfectly unintellectual will of another . However , [she]_171-anne let [Lewis]_353-lewis try . During [his]_353-lewis performance , as [he]_353-lewis fixed [his]_353-lewis green eyes upon [her]_171-anne , and made passes with [his]_353-lewis flabby white fingers , [Anne]_171-anne felt a loathing as if a slug were trailing over [her]_171-anne , but [she]_171-anne sat unaffected by [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} ’s will‐power , and at last wearied out [his]_353-lewis patience . “_{[2237-a rather bigoted sort of brute formerly]} [You]_2238-you resisted!—I felt [you]_2238-you resist ! ” cried [Lewis]_353-lewis angrily , at the end of the séance . “_[2238-you] There was nothing to resist against , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , bluntly ; “_[2238-you] but had there been , of course [I]_0-i should have resisted . ” “_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin does not resist , ” replied [Lewis]_353-lewis , with a certain malignant pride . “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i can do just whatever [I]_0-i choose with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ” “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i enjoy it , ” explained [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “_[145-hamlin] it ’s like the first effects of opium or haschisch . [One]_620-one feels [one]_620-one ’s self giving way , [one]_620-one ’s soul sinking deliciously . ” “_[620-one] Going to sleep , in fact , ” corrected [Anne]_171-anne . From that moment [Anne]_171-anne felt that [Lewis]_353-lewis hated [her]_171-anne . Yet [he]_353-lewis was , in a way , fascinated by [her]_171-anne exotic beauty ; [he]_353-lewis could not make up [his]_353-lewis mind that so strange and splendid [a woman]_{3960-a woman} could resist [him]_353-lewis . [He]_353-lewis never tried to magnetise [her]_171-anne again ; and [he]_353-lewis made many drawings of [her]_171-anne , curiously distorting [her]_171-anne expression , sullen , but frank and resolute , into a kind of sombre , morbid wistfulness . “_[620-one] [I]_0-i hate those sketches [he]_2242-he does of [you]_2243-you , ” cried [Marjory]_249-marjory one day ; “_[2242-he] nasty things , which make [you]_2243-you look — [I]_0-i do n’t know to express it — as if [you]_2243-you were neither [a man]_{503-a man} nor [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , and were in love with [him]_2242-he . ” [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} laughed . “_[2242-he] [The school]_{1304-the school} is running to seed , ” [she]_{324-mary leigh} said : “_{[2247-the great men]} [the great men]_{2247-the great men} have done all that could be done in the way of beautiful suggestiveness — [the little ones]_{901-the little ones} can only do suggestiveness of all sorts of vague nastiness which [they]_{901-the little ones} do n’t even understand . But there ’s a change coming on in painting ; [people]_577-people are beginning to be satisfied with interpreting real nature ; and — don’t [you]_2243-you think — [Anne]_171-anne — a similar change . . . ” [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , who was [the most absent‐minded of [Irish enthusiasts]_{5404-irish enthusiasts}]_{5403-the most absent‐minded of irish enthusiasts} , suddenly stopped short . [She]_{324-mary leigh} had only just remembered that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was [a poet]_{498-a poet} and [a painter of [the school]_{1304-the school} which [she]_{324-mary leigh} had just described]_{5406-a painter of the school which she had just described} . And a pained , darkened look had come over [Anne]_171-anne . [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} could not understand that that look meant that [Anne]_171-anne had often thought just the same thing , and that now there returned to [her]_{324-mary leigh} , with sickening bitterness , the double recollection of the “_[171-anne] Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} , ” and of those twelve sonnets called “_[171-anne] Desire . ” Meanwhile [Anne]_171-anne gradually got substantial reasons for [her]_171-anne instinctive aversion to [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . [The family of [the vicar of [Wotton]_94-wotton]_{5409-the vicar of wotton}]_{5408-the family of the vicar of wotton} sometimes visited at [the Hall]_{550-the hall} . There were [two very young girls]_{5411-two very young girls} , scarcely more than [children]_570-children , for whom [Anne]_171-anne and [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} had taken a fancy . One afternoon [they]_{5411-two very young girls} came to tea , delicate pink‐and‐white creatures of fourteen or fifteen , impressionable , nervous , utterly ignorant of [the world]_{496-the world} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin seemed to appreciate the charm of obvious purity and guilelessness which went with [their]_{5411-two very young girls} ignorance of [the world]_{496-the world} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i should like to make a picture of [those two creatures]_{2250-those two creatures} , ” [he]_145-hamlin whispered to [Anne]_171-anne , as [they]_{5411-two very young girls} sat at tea in [the library]_{4639-the library} , “_[2243-you] or to write a poem about [them]_{2250-those two creatures} — [they]_{2250-those two creatures} seem to do one good ; for it is good , is it not , to see so much life which is so perfectly fresh , and unsullied , and untormented — such a desire to know [the world]_{496-the world} before the evil in it is even guessed at — don’t [you]_2252-you think ? ” [Even Chough]_248-chough could not make a single unintelligible allusion to [the wife of [Claudius]_371-claudius]_{5416-the wife of claudius} or [the daughter of [Alexander VI]_{372-alexander vi}]_{5417-the daughter of alexander vi} . , but sat with one of [[his]_145-hamlin children]_{4938-his children} on [his]_145-hamlin knee , looking at [the young girls]_{5419-the young girls} and gently humming a scrap of old minuet , fresh and simple like [themselves]_{2250-those two creatures} . [Anne]_171-anne could not help thinking that [she]_171-anne had never been what [these girls]_{1402-these girls} were . [She]_171-anne had been shown the ugly things of life , taught to struggle with [them]_{2250-those two creatures} since [her]_171-anne childhood , and now believing equally in good , but believing sadly and bitterly . It was better to be [a woman]_{3960-a woman} as [she]_171-anne was , [a woman who knew of good and evil]_{5422-a woman who knew of good and evil} , and was prepared to fight [her]_171-anne way out of darkness ; but still it was sad never , never to have been as [these girls]_{1402-these girls} . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis was leaning forward on the table , [his]_353-lewis reddish‐auburn head with its glittering eyes rising like that of a snake , as if silently trying to mesmerise [the visitors]_{5424-the visitors} . “_[2252-you] Suppose [we]_2253-we show [these young ladies]_{1388-these young ladies} some of [our]_2253-we works of art ? ” [he]_353-lewis proposed , in a half‐ jocular way which [he]_353-lewis occasionally had . [The girls]_{1418-the girls} had never seen any pictures scarcely , and having heard of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [Lewis]_353-lewis as [famous painters from [London]_4-london]_{5426-famous painters from london} , were delighted . [The whole party]_{5427-the whole party} went up to [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s studio]_{1127-hamlin ’s studio} . [He]_353-lewis showed [the girls]_{1418-the girls} not the things for which [he]_353-lewis cared most , but what [he]_353-lewis thought would give [them]_{1418-the girls} most pleasure — magnificent tinted sketches of poetical legends , of the Sleeping Beauty , [Cupid and Psyche]_{373-cupid and psyche} , and so forth . [Anne]_171-anne thought [she]_171-anne had scarcely ever seen [Hamlin]_145-hamlin so nice before as when [he]_353-lewis got the sketches out of the portfolio , and told [the girls]_{1418-the girls} what [they]_{1418-the girls} represented . When [he]_353-lewis had done , [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , with [his]_353-lewis slow , shuffling movements , placed [his]_353-lewis large sketch‐book on an easel , and turned a page . It was covered with outline drawings of [men]_4644-men and [women , stark naked , in various listless attitudes]_{5432-women , stark naked , in various listless attitudes} . [Anne]_171-anne had seen these drawings time after time , and had thought them , accustomed as [she]_171-anne was to [studios]_5433-studios and [painters]_521-painters , merely clever nude studies , with the usual expression of bored depravity of all [Lewis]_353-lewis ’s work . [She]_171-anne had criticised the drawing and anatomy , and had never before thought that any impropriety was connected with them . But now [she]_171-anne could not help blushing and feeling vaguely indignant . “_[2253-we] That ’s not the sort of thing to show [those children]_{4199-those children} , ” whispered [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , who , heaven knows , had seen nude studies enough in [her]_{324-mary leigh} life . Both [she]_{324-mary leigh} and [Anne]_171-anne had caught the surprised , vacant expression of [the two girls]_{5435-the two girls} , had seen the flush in [their]_{5435-the two girls} face , and understood the silence , never asking what it all meant , as [they]_{5435-the two girls} stared at all this emaciated , flabby nakedness . And [Anne]_171-anne caught also [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis ’s expression , as [he]_353-lewis held the corner of the page , ready to turn over , with one hand , stroking [his]_353-lewis reddish‐brown beard with the other , and looking , with slightly raised eyebrows and curious green eyes , towards [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as if to call [his]_353-lewis attention . [Lewis]_353-lewis turned another page , and another ; always [the same stark‐naked people]_{5436-the same stark‐naked people} . [Anne]_171-anne was very black . [Heaven]_158-heaven knows from what instinct , perhaps from a paternal recollection of [[his]_353-lewis own little girls]_{5437-his own little girls} , [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough understood [Anne]_171-anne ’s look ; and edging [himself]_353-lewis awkwardly into the corner , [he]_353-lewis banged against the easel , and made it and the sketch‐hook come down with a crash . “_[2253-we] Confound [your]_2256-your awkwardness ! ” cried [Lewis]_353-lewis , stooping to pick up [his]_353-lewis drawings , and slowly replacing the sketch‐book . “_[2253-we] [I]_0-i do n’t think [they]_2257-they care to see any more , ” said [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[2258-you] [you]_2258-you see , [these young ladies]_{1388-these young ladies} have n’t studied anatomy . Supposing [you]_2258-you show [them]_{1388-these young ladies} [your]_2258-you Eastern sketches , [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} . ” [Lewis]_353-lewis gave [Anne]_171-anne a rapid , angry glance . “_{[364-mr lewis]} The Eastern sketches are up‐stairs , ” [he]_353-lewis said snappishly ; adding , in [his]_353-lewis drawling , mock courteous way , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [these young ladies]_{1388-these young ladies} have seen the best [I]_0-i could show [them]_{1388-these young ladies} . ” “_[0-i] Then [we]_2261-we had better go down‐stairs , and [Mr Chough]_248-chough will play an accompaniment , for [I]_0-i know [they]_2257-they sing very nicely , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , taking no notice of [him]_353-lewis . Perhaps , thought [Anne]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne might have been prejudiced against [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . [He]_353-lewis did draw morbid‐looking nudities ; but [so many other men]_{5438-so many other men} did just the same , that it was quite possible [he]_353-lewis might have displayed that sketch‐book from mere thoughtlessness . Yet [she]_171-anne could not believe it ; [she]_171-anne had seen [Lewis]_353-lewis ’s look as [he]_353-lewis turned over the pages , and that look had disgusted [her]_171-anne . The next day but one the question was settled in [her]_171-anne mind . It was a fine autumn morning , and [Anne]_171-anne was seated on [the terrace]_{5100-the terrace} , waiting for [the others]_{881-the others} to come down to breakfast . The air , just touched by the first cold , was exquisitely pure ; and the sear bracken of [the hillside]_{5441-the hillside} opposite sparkled golden with the heavy dew . All round the swallows were whirring about , collecting for departure . The thought of [the Villa Arnolfini]_{734-the villa arnolfini} — of [the place in [the vineyard]_{646-the vineyard}]_{5443-the place in the vineyard} , among the yellowing vines , where [she]_171-anne used to sit on [the dry warm mint and fennel]_{5445-the dry warm mint and fennel} with the little Perrys , where , under the big mulberry‐tree , [they]_5446-they had buried [her]_171-anne Dante in a heap of yellow leaves — came [home]_4170-home to [Anne]_171-anne . How good [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had been to [her]_171-anne ! the idea almost pained [her]_171-anne . But this lovely morning seemed to have swept all evil away . If only , [Anne]_171-anne said to [herself]_171-anne , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s sympathies could be violently roused — if only [he]_145-hamlin could be awakened suddenly , by some unexpected contact with the tragic realities of [the world]_{496-the world} , by a sudden appeal to [his]_145-hamlin generosity and indignation , out of this æsthetic day‐dream with its enervating visions of impure beauty and forbidden things . If only this could be done , the horrid spell which kept [him]_145-hamlin at a moral distance from [her]_171-anne would be broken through . . . . And soon it must come , this awakening . As [she]_171-anne was thinking in this way , [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis strolled up , [his]_353-lewis hands behind [his]_353-lewis back , to the table at which [she]_171-anne was seated . [He]_353-lewis gave [her]_171-anne a little unceremonious nod , and then , interrupting the tune which [he]_353-lewis was faintly whistling , pushed a paper‐bound book across the table to [her]_171-anne . “_[2257-they] Have [you]_2262-you ever read this , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ” [he]_353-lewis asked ; “_[2262-you] do [you]_2262-you know that passage ? [I]_0-i think it one of the loveliest things which have ever been written . ” [Anne]_171-anne ’s eye glanced at the page , pencil‐marked all round , and then at the title on the margin . It was [Gautier]_343-gautier ’s ‘ [Mademoiselle de Maupin]_{374-mademoiselle de maupin} . ’ [She]_171-anne understood . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have never read it , ” [she]_0-i answered , “_[0-i] but [I]_0-i have often heard that it is a book which [a man]_{503-a man} does not offer [a woman]_{3960-a woman} except as an insult , ” and [she]_0-i quietly handed the volume back , looking up , [her]_0-i beautiful severe face flushed , [her]_0-i slate‐grey eyes flashing , at [Lewis]_353-lewis . [The painter]_{5449-the painter} started . “_{[503-a man]} Upon [my]_0-i word , ” [he]_{5449-the painter} answered quickly , with [his]_{5449-the painter} usual self‐possession , “_{[503-a man]} [I]_0-i never thought that . [I]_0-i never thought that any book could possibly offend [a pure woman]_{2265-a pure woman} nowadays . [I]_0-i regard this book merely as a noble hymn to beauty ; [others]_4163-others may regard it otherwise . [I]_0-i really had no thought of offending [you]_0-i , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} [Miss Brown”—there]_{375-miss brown”—there} was a tone of patronising insolence in [his]_{5449-the painter} voice . “_{[375-miss brown”—there]} So much the better , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , rising . Oh how , how could [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with [his]_145-hamlin chivalrous nature , endure the daily contact of [such a man]_{2018-such a man} as this ! “_{[375-miss brown”—there]} [Lewis]_353-lewis ought not to have selected those particular drawings to show [[the vicar]_{5154-the vicar} ’s girls]_{2269-the vicar ’s girls} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , later on . [She]_171-anne could not allude to that scene of the book ; but [she]_171-anne felt [she]_171-anne must say something . “_[353-lewis] [A man]_{503-a man} ought not to show such things as those to [mere children]_{2271-mere children} , brought up in [the country]_{945-the country} , who do n’t know what [they]_{2271-mere children} mean , and are merely shocked by such things — don’t [you]_2273-you think so , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} ? ” “_[2273-you] Certainly , ” answered [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} boldly , quite astonished at [Anne]_171-anne ’s venturing to mention such a subject . “_[2273-you] It was n’t good taste , certainly , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[353-lewis] [Lewis]_353-lewis is fearfully absent‐minded . They are lovely designs . But still , it was n’t good taste , [I]_0-i quite agree . ” “_[0-i] Good taste ! ” thought [Anne]_171-anne , with a shudder . “_[0-i] Is there nothing higher than taste in [the world]_{496-the world} ? ” THREE days later , [Chough]_248-chough and [Lewis]_353-lewis returned to [town]_821-town , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin went with [them]_5452-them . The weather had broken up , and it was time to settle for the winter . [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} and [Anne]_171-anne were to stay on another fortnight , in order to give [Hamlin]_145-hamlin time to make some alterations in [the house]_{509-the house} at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} . Such at least was the pretext ; but [Anne]_171-anne knew that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had arrived in [London]_4-london , and [she]_171-anne guessed that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would wish to transact whatever business there might be , before exposing to [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s wrath [the Cousin Sacha of former days]_{5454-the cousin sacha of former days} — before , perhaps , refusing to let [Anne Brown]_171-anne meet [a woman whose past spoke little in [her]_{1707-that woman} favour]_{5455-a woman whose past spoke little in her favour} , and of whose present [he]_145-hamlin knew absolutely nothing . “_[0-i] How [I]_0-i dread seeing [that woman]_{1707-that woman} ! ” [he]_145-hamlin exclaimed the evening before [his]_145-hamlin departure , as [he]_145-hamlin walked up and down [the hall]_{550-the hall} with [Anne]_171-anne , while [the rest of the company]_{5457-the rest of the company} was listening to [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , shrilly piping eighteenth century music in [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} . “_[0-i] Has [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} ever told [you]_2276-you anything of [our]_2277-our life when [Cousin Sacha]_359-sacha was here with [us]_2277-our , years ago ? ” [he]_145-hamlin asked . [Anne]_171-anne nodded . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} told [me]_0-i the whole story . ” “_{[247-aunt claudia]} Then [you]_2276-you can understand , ” cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , almost convulsively , “_[2276-you] how the mere thought of [Sacha]_359-sacha is loathsome to [me]_0-i ; and yet , [I]_0-i must behave decently towards [her]_359-sacha — don’t [you]_2276-you think ? ” “_[2276-you] Of course [you]_2276-you must ; and [I]_0-i ca n’t help thinking that perhaps — well , that [[your]_2276-you aunt]_{1756-your aunt} and [you]_2276-you may be a little unjust towards [her]_359-sacha — [I]_0-i do n’t think that [a child]_{623-a child} really could be so bad . ” “_[0-i] Oh , [a child]_{623-a child} may be as bad as [a woman]_{3960-a woman} if [she]_{623-a child} have evil blood in [her]_{623-a child} ! and just think , if [Sacha]_359-sacha was like that as [a child]_{623-a child} , what must [she]_359-sacha not be as [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ? ” There was something odd in [his]_5459-his tone ; something not of indignation , but of a kind of clinging curiosity . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i daresay , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , “_[0-i] that as [a woman]_{3960-a woman} [she]_{3960-a woman} may be much better than as [a child]_{623-a child} . [Her]_{3960-a woman} eyes may have been opened to [her]_{3960-a woman} own unworthiness , and [she]_{3960-a woman} may have struggled out of the influence of bad examples . [I]_0-i am sure [many , many people]_{2286-many , many people} are much better as [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women than as [children]_570-children . To know , to feel responsible , means so much . ” “_{[2291-a fiend]} That may be . ” There was some disappointment in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s tone . [Anne]_171-anne laughed . “_{[2291-a fiend]} [You]_2290-you want to find [a fiend]_{2291-a fiend} , [a lamia]_{2292-a lamia} , [a vampire]_{2293-a vampire} , ” [she]_171-anne said—“something_{[2293-a vampire]} hateful and picturesque . Fancy if [[your]_2290-you cousin]_{4341-your cousin} should turn out [a most prosaic and ultra‐respectable woman , given up to [[her]_{4341-your cousin} children]_{746-her children}]_{2295-a most prosaic and ultra‐respectable woman , given up to her children} , and coffee‐taverns , and [women]_3959-women ’s suffrage ! ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin could not help laughing . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i fear there ’s not much chance of that . Anyhow , [I]_0-i must see whether [she]_{4341-your cousin} is fit for [you]_2290-you to receive , and whether [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} can be mollified towards [her]_{4341-your cousin} , supposing [she]_{4341-your cousin} is the exemplary piece of prose which [you]_2290-you imagine . ” [Anne]_171-anne had induced [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough to leave [[his]_145-hamlin little girls]_{5333-his little girls} in [her]_171-anne charge ; and [the Leighs]_{5461-the leighs} were to return to [London]_4-london with [her]_171-anne and [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} . [The big house]_{5462-the big house} seemed very empty without [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} ; but the quiet was pleasant . Somehow , when [he]_145-hamlin was away , when [she]_171-anne could no longer see [him]_145-hamlin perpetually sitting and walking with [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , [Anne]_171-anne ’s love for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin became much stronger . In [her]_171-anne recollection [he]_145-hamlin existed only with reference to [herself]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne felt [his]_145-hamlin goodness , [she]_171-anne believed in [his]_145-hamlin nobility , [she]_171-anne felt sure that some day [he]_145-hamlin would become more manly , healthy , and resolute . If only [she]_171-anne could enter into [his]_145-hamlin confidence , instead of [men]_4644-men like [Lewis]_353-lewis and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} ; if only [she]_171-anne could make [him]_145-hamlin see all that there was in [the world]_{496-the world} besides mere art and poetry . Perhaps [she]_171-anne was unworthy to do it . This thought spurred [her]_171-anne on , redoubled [Anne]_171-anne ’s restless desire to know , to sympathise , and to help . [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory had , soon after [her]_249-marjory arrival at [Wotton]_94-wotton , made acquaintance with [the wife of [the vicar]_{5154-the vicar}]_{5466-the wife of the vicar} , [a simple , energetic , rather narrow‐minded but boundlessly unselfish woman]_{5468-a simple , energetic , rather narrow‐minded but boundlessly unselfish woman} , all whose thoughts were given to improving the condition of [the neighbouring poor]_{5469-the neighbouring poor} . To tell the whole truth , [the vicar]_{5154-the vicar} had [a son]_{5471-a son} , [a young man entirely belying the usual saying about [[clergymen]_{5473-clergymen} ’s sons]_{5474-clergymen ’s sons} , who had renounced a good living in [the neighbourhood]_{725-the neighbourhood} in order to become a curate in [the East End of [London]_4-london]_{5476-the east end of london}]_{5472-a young man entirely belying the usual saying about clergymen ’s sons , who had renounced a good living in the neighbourhood in order to become a curate in the east end of london} . [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} had been at [Oxford]_101-oxford at the same time as [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; [he]_145-hamlin had even , for some time , belonged to the æsthetic set of which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [Melton Perry]_146-perry had been the heads : but [he]_145-hamlin had soon become [a religious enthusiast]_{5477-a religious enthusiast} ; and , [his]_145-hamlin religious enthusiasm cooling down , [he]_145-hamlin had remained [an ardent philanthropist]_{5478-an ardent philanthropist} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had a liking for [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} . [He]_145-hamlin was handsome , tall , and emaciated , like [a St John the Baptist]_{5479-a st john the baptist} by [Donatello]_{377-donatello} ; [he]_145-hamlin was in [his]_145-hamlin own style poetical ; [he]_145-hamlin was [a dreamer]_{5480-a dreamer} and [an enthusiast]_{5481-an enthusiast} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin used to call [him]_145-hamlin [Francis of Assisi]_{378-francis of assisi} . [He]_145-hamlin did several sketches of [him]_145-hamlin , and asked [him]_145-hamlin several times to [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} . [Anne]_171-anne also liked and admired [him]_2298-him ; but there was something exaggerated , narrow‐minded , in [him]_2298-him , which shocked [her]_171-anne Italian temperament . What [she]_171-anne wanted was secular energy , not priestly devotion . “_[2298-him] [He]_2298-him is [a monk]_{2299-a monk} , ” [she]_171-anne used to say ; “_{[2299-a monk]} [he]_2298-him ought to have lived in the middle ages . What [we]_2300-we want nowadays are disagreeable , [rough‐and‐ready men like [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin]_{2301-rough‐and‐ready men like cousin dick} — [men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]_{2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason} . ” [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , who declared [herself]_249-marjory to belong to the most advanced of all advanced parties , and to whom [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was little less than [a god]_{5482-a god} , perfectly agreed in [Anne]_171-anne ’s verdict . But being of a proselytising temper , and having a special love for proselytising among [the young men of [her]_171-anne acquaintance]_{5483-the young men of her acquaintance} , [she]_171-anne immediately set about enlightening [the rather High Church benevolence of [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett}]_{5484-the rather high church benevolence of harry collett} , as soon as [he]_2298-him came to spend at [Wotton]_94-wotton [his]_2298-him summer holidays . [Anne]_171-anne and [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} used often to laugh over the intensely serious flirtations which were carried on between [Marjory]_249-marjory and [the East End curate]_{5485-the east end curate} — flirtations of which [both parties]_{5486-both parties} were perfectly unaware — earnestly discussing charity reorganisation , ventilation , primary instruction , and so forth ; but which was nevertheless destined to result , soon after the general return to [town]_821-town , in a long engagement between [Marjory]_249-marjory and [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} . [Harry]_{376-harry collett} was already back at [his]_2298-him post in [the East End]_{98-the east end} ; but [Marjory]_249-marjory , being unable to discuss philanthropy with [him]_2298-him , went daily to help [[his]_2298-him mother]_{5488-his mother} in [her]_{5488-his mother} work . Thus it was that [Anne]_171-anne gradually became acquainted with the petty miseries of [village]_5489-village life , its dull indifference , mistaken by [poets]_1628-poets for innocence , and beneath which lies so much possibility of stupid misery and stupid crime . “_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} All that must be improved some day , ” [Anne]_171-anne used to say ; and [she]_171-anne determined to ask [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin ’s advice , for [she]_171-anne believed in radical measures rather than in the small palliations of [[the vicar]_{5154-the vicar} ’s wife]_{5492-the vicar ’s wife} . One afternoon — [they]_5493-they were within three or four days of return to [London]_4-london — [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory returned more than usually excited from a visit to [the vicarage]_{5494-the vicarage} . “_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} What ’s the matter ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , as [the three girls]_{5495-the three girls} sat alone in [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s empty studio]_{5496-hamlin ’s empty studio} . [Marjory]_249-marjory threw [her]_249-marjory hat on the floor . “_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} Give [me]_0-i some tea , ” [she]_0-i said , “_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} [I]_0-i feel quite sick ; [I]_0-i never thought [I]_0-i should come across such horrors . Of course , ” [she]_0-i added quickly , before [Anne]_171-anne or [[her]_171-anne sister]_{603-her sister} had time to exclaim , and as if to reclaim [her]_0-i reputation for omniscience—“of_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} course [I]_0-i knew that such things existed — oh dear , yes — in [big towns]_{2303-big towns} and so forth ; but [still,”—and poor Marjory]_249-marjory fairly burst into tears,—“I_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} never , never thought that — [I]_0-i should come so near [them]_2304-them . ” Finally , when [she]_0-i had had some tea , [Marjory]_249-marjory , all blushing and stammering , and in a hesitating , roundabout way , which curiously belied [her]_0-i usual affectation of cynical omniscience , proceeded to explain what had just happened . [A girl with an illegitimate baby]_{5498-a girl with an illegitimate baby} — a very common occurrence in [those parts]_{5499-those parts} — had turned up for assistance at [the vicarage]_{5494-the vicarage} , and , while deprecating the wretched creature ’s fault , [[the vicar]_{5154-the vicar} ’s wife]_{5492-the vicar ’s wife} had revealed to [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory a jealously hidden stain in [[her]_0-i parish]_{5503-her parish} ; namely , that in [the hamlet to which [the girl]_{583-the girl} belonged]_{5504-the hamlet to which the girl belonged} , a mishap , as [she]_0-i termed it , like [hers]_249-marjory was a trifle , and indeed could scarcely be considered a fault at all , compared with the condition of brutish sin in which [rolled]_5506-rolled , cynically huddled together in [cabins no better than sties]_{5507-cabins no better than sties} , [the whole small population of [that foul little fen village]_{5509-that foul little fen village}]_{5508-the whole small population of that foul little fen village} . “_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} It appears it ’s been going on for generations , ” cried [Marjory]_249-marjory , “_{[2302-men who do n’t merely feel sorry for vice , but who try to understand its scientific reason]} and that there ’s no hope of remedying things unless [the miserable creatures]_{2305-the miserable creatures} be removed into [more decent dwellings]_{2306-more decent dwellings} . It ’s useless trying to teach [them]_{2305-the miserable creatures} to live decently as long as [they]_{2305-the miserable creatures} live [there]_4426-there , in [those hovels in [the fen]_{2309-the fen}]_{2308-those hovels in the fen} , where half of [them]_{2305-the miserable creatures} are ill of fever every autumn , and [they]_{2305-the miserable creatures} herd together like cattle . Oh , it ’s sickening to think of [Christian people being so sinful close by one]_{2310-christian people being so sinful close by one} ! ” and [Marjory]_249-marjory burst into hysterical sobs . [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} had exclaimed in horror as soon as [Marjory]_249-marjory ’s meaning had become plain to [her]_{324-mary leigh} . “_{[2310-christian people being so sinful close by one]} Oh , do n’t cry , do n’t cry , [Marjory]_249-marjory darling ! ” [she]_{324-mary leigh} exclaimed , throwing [herself]_{324-mary leigh} on [her]_{324-mary leigh} knees and clasping [[her]_{324-mary leigh} sister]_{603-her sister} ’s waist . “_{[249-marjory]} [You]_249-marjory ca n’t do anything , [[my]_0-i love]_{2311-my love} — and [you]_249-marjory ’ll only make [yourself]_249-marjory ill if [you]_249-marjory let [yourself]_249-marjory brood on such things . ” [Anne]_171-anne had not exclaimed . [She]_171-anne sat perfectly still , and said nothing . [Most persons]_{5511-most persons} would have deemed [her]_171-anne very callous , [she]_171-anne looked so calm . “_{[249-marjory]} Are [you]_249-marjory quite sure , [Marjory]_249-marjory , ” [she]_171-anne asked , after a minute—“are_{[249-marjory]} [you]_249-marjory quite sure [you]_249-marjory did not misunderstand , or that [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} did not exaggerate ? ” “_{[376-harry collett]} [I]_0-i could n’t misunderstand ; and [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} gave [me]_0-i ever so many details — such dreadful details ; ” and interrupted by [her]_171-anne sobs , [Marjory]_249-marjory repeated scraps of what [she]_171-anne had heard . “_{[376-harry collett]} Where is [the place]_{884-the place} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , after another pause . “_{[376-harry collett]} It ’s [that cluster of houses half‐way to [Eggleston]_{102-eggleston}]_{2313-that cluster of houses half‐way to eggleston} , in [the middle of [the fen]_{2309-the fen}]_{2314-the middle of the fen} , by [the river]_{4465-the river} — [they]_2317-they call [it]_{4465-the river} [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} . Do n’t [you]_249-marjory remember [our]_2318-our going down there once in the break , with [the Spencers]_{342-the spencers} and Chough , and [your]_249-marjory saying [you]_249-marjory wished [Hamlin]_379-hamlin would paint [that sort of [fiat green country]_{2320-fiat green country}]_{2319-that sort of fiat green country} , and [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} saying it was unpoetical ? ” [Anne]_171-anne remembered . The recollection of that moment came like a vision ; [she]_171-anne saw [the wide river]_{5512-the wide river} , between [its]_{5512-the wide river} [low sedgy banks of boggy green]_{5513-low sedgy banks of boggy green} ; the reddish storm sunset reflected in clotted flame‐coloured masses in [its]_{5512-the wide river} thick grey waters ; the moon rising , a spectral crescent on the blue evening sky ; [she]_171-anne heard the quail of the frogs , the cries of the water‐fowl : [the Spencers]_{342-the spencers} and [Chough]_379-hamlin on ahead with the two [Leighs]_{327-the leighs} and [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ; and [she]_171-anne and [Hamlin]_379-hamlin lingering behind , watching [the reddened stream]_{5514-the reddened stream} — and the cattle , dark outlines on [the flat green banks]_{5515-the flat green banks} opposite ; [Hamlin]_379-hamlin scrambling down [the bank]_{5516-the bank} to get a tuft of willow herb growing half in the water . [She]_171-anne was feeling so happy ; [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was so good and gentle and handsome , and [she]_171-anne loved [him]_379-hamlin so ; and [[they]_5517-they two]_{5518-they two} had stood by [the river]_{4465-the river} alone , until [the little Spencer children]_{5520-the little spencer children} had run back and taken [her]_171-anne hand , and begun asking a hundred questions in [their]_{5520-the little spencer children} shrill baby lisp . It was so lovely and peaceful and good , [this green country]_{5521-this green country} , this quiet evening , with [Hamlin]_379-hamlin by [her]_171-anne side and [the children]_{3862-the children} holding [her]_171-anne hand . [She]_171-anne had felt a painful longing to impress [the place]_{884-the place} and the moment on [her]_171-anne mind , to keep this happy present . “_{[288-mrs spencer]} What is this called ? ” [she]_171-anne had asked ; and [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had answered “_{[380-cold fremley]} [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} . ” [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} ! [Anne]_171-anne went on repeating to [herself]_171-anne all that afternoon : the recollection of that beautiful scene , become hideous like a nightmare , haunted [her]_171-anne . The huddled roofs dark in the distance , the curl of smoke — that was the place . [Anne]_171-anne felt dizzy . [She]_171-anne had read enough about shame and sin , heaven knows ; the poems of [the poets of the set]_{5524-the poets of the set} were full of allusions to such things . But [she]_171-anne had never realised that they could be realities ; they had been so many artistic dabs of horror , imaginary , or belonging vaguely to [some distant , dim world]_{5525-some distant , dim world} , as unreal as the beautiful haunted woods and [mysterious castles]_{5526-mysterious castles} , [the pale unsubstantial gods]_{5527-the pale unsubstantial gods} and [heroes]_5528-heroes , and [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women of the pictures of [Rossetti]_381-rossetti and [Burne Jones]_{382-burne jones} , of the poems of [Swinburne]_{383-swinburne} and [Morris]_326-morris , and [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [Chough]_379-hamlin . But that abominations like these should be here , close at hand , in sordid , filthy reality , reality under this same sun , swept by this same wind , reality through which [she]_171-anne had unconsciously walked ; this seemed impossible . A strange thing happened : the thought of what [she]_171-anne had heard haunted [her]_171-anne so persistently , loomed before [her]_171-anne in such ever‐changing horror , that [Anne]_171-anne at last felt like [one drunk or half asleep]_{5531-one drunk or half asleep} , and began to doubt whether it was not all a horrible nightmare . Had [Marjory]_249-marjory really told [her]_171-anne these things ? Before [a court of justice]_{5532-a court of justice} [Anne]_171-anne would have been unable to say whether [she]_171-anne had or not . It was so unreal to [her]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne could not accept it as a reality ; the more [she]_171-anne brooded , the more did it seem a hallucination . “_{[380-cold fremley]} [Marjory]_249-marjory , ” said [Anne]_171-anne the next day , suddenly , “_{[380-cold fremley]} is it true that [you]_249-marjory told [me]_0-i some dreadful things which [you]_249-marjory had heard from [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} about [the people at [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley}]_{2321-the people at cold fremley} ? ” [Marjory]_249-marjory looked up in astonishment . “_{[376-harry collett]} Of course it is,”—she had half forgotten it [herself]_0-i . “_{[376-harry collett]} [I]_0-i can not get it out of [my]_0-i mind , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , passing [her]_0-i hand over [her]_0-i eyes , as if to disperse some black mist ; “_{[249-marjory]} it is too horrible . Everything in [the world]_{496-the world} seems tarnished , do n’t [you]_0-i know , and a sort of horrible clamminess all round . ” [Marjory]_249-marjory looked at [Anne]_171-anne . [She]_0-i was very pale , and [her]_0-i big , greyish‐blue , onyx‐coloured eyes were wide with a fixed stare . [She]_0-i looked as if [she]_0-i did indeed see the tarnish on [the world]_{496-the world} , and felt the clamminess ; as if , like [a person taken with some fever]_{5534-a person taken with some fever} , [she]_0-i tasted copper on [her]_0-i tongue . [Marjory]_249-marjory was [a sensible girl]_{5535-a sensible girl} . [She]_249-marjory had studied medicine , and knew an appalling amount about direction of the will , expectant attention , and other psychological and physiological matters . “_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne , ” [she]_0-i said , “_[0-i] [you]_171-anne are making [yourself]_171-anne ill about this matter . Of course [you]_171-anne could n’t help being shocked ; but [you]_171-anne take it too much to heart . [You]_171-anne are going to let these horrible things haunt [you]_171-anne ; it is a great temptation to do so . Take care ; it wo n’t do any good , and [you]_171-anne will merely get quite unstrung . [I]_0-i warn [you]_171-anne against it . [You]_171-anne must n’t let such things get the better of [your]_171-anne will : it ’s morbid , and dangerous , and unworthy,”—and [Marjory]_249-marjory completely forgot how [she]_249-marjory [herself]_249-marjory had entered [the room]_{574-the room} in hysterics the previous day . [Anne]_171-anne took no notice of [her]_171-anne speech . “_[171-anne] [You]_171-anne say nothing can be done until [these people]_{2323-these people} be given [better dwellings]_{2324-better dwellings} ? ” [she]_171-anne asked , after a pause . [Marjory]_249-marjory nodded . “_[171-anne] So [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} says , and [I]_0-i ’ve read that repeatedly in books also — for , of course , such things have happened elsewhere . At all events , [the children]_{3862-the children} might be brought up to live more decently , if [they]_{3862-the children} were not all huddled up together like that . ” A thought seemed to flash across [Anne]_171-anne ’s darkened mind . [[Her]_171-anne maid]_{694-her maid} had just brought in the tea‐things . “_[190-laura] [Laura]_190-laura , ” [she]_0-i asked , “_[190-laura] do [you]_190-laura know to whom [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} — [those cottages by [the river]_{4465-the river}]_{2326-those cottages by the river} , half‐way to [Eggleston]_{102-eggleston} — belongs ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i can ask [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s steward]_{2328-mr hamlin ’s steward} , [miss]_4492-miss — [he]_{2328-mr hamlin ’s steward} ’s just in [[the housekeeper]_{2330-the housekeeper} ’s room]_{2331-the housekeeper ’s room} , ” answered [Laura]_190-laura . “_{[2328-mr hamlin ’s steward]} Run and ask , ” ordered [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[2328-mr hamlin ’s steward]} Good heavens , [Anne]_171-anne ! ” cried [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , “_{[2328-mr hamlin ’s steward]} what are [you]_171-anne going to do ! [You]_171-anne surely are n’t going to talk about such things and try to interfere ! What can [you]_171-anne do , when [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} has failed ? ” “_{[376-harry collett]} [The houses]_{2332-the houses} must be rebuilt , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , quietly and firmly ; “_{[376-harry collett]} to whomsoever [they]_{2332-the houses} belong , [they]_{2332-the houses} must — [they]_{2332-the houses} shall be rebuilt . ” “_{[376-harry collett]} Nonsense ! ” cried [practical Marjory]_249-marjory ; “_[171-anne] how can [you]_171-anne talk like that ? Are [you]_171-anne going to apply to [the neighbouring squires]_{2333-the neighbouring squires} and tell [them]_{2333-the neighbouring squires} about such matters ? ” “_[171-anne] [They]_{2333-the neighbouring squires} must rebuild [the houses]_{2332-the houses} if once [they]_{2333-the neighbouring squires} understand , ” repeated [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[2333-the neighbouring squires]} [I]_0-i do n’t care to whom [they]_{2332-the houses} belong — [they]_{2332-the houses} shall be rebuilt . [I]_0-i will write and speak to [every one and any one on the subject]_{2335-every one and any one on the subject} , until the thing has been done . ” “_[0-i] It ’s all very well , but when it comes to the point , [you]_171-anne would n’t venture to mention such a thing to [a man]_{503-a man} , ” cried [Marjory]_249-marjory , contemptuously—“I_[171-anne] — wouldn’t . ” At this moment [the maid]_{4505-the maid} entered . “_{[2337-the steward]} [The steward]_{2337-the steward} says that [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} — [those houses by [the river]_{4465-the river}]_{2338-those houses by the river} , leastways — belong to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and as it ’s [he]_145-hamlin that lets [them]_{2338-those houses by the river} out . ” [Marjory]_249-marjory and [[her]_249-marjory sister]_{603-her sister} looked at [each other]_{594-each other} and then at [Anne]_171-anne , as much as to say , “_[145-hamlin] Well , [you]_171-anne see now what it would be . ” [Anne]_171-anne flushed scarlet , but [her]_171-anne face brightened . “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i will speak to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” [she]_0-i said , as soon as [the maid]_{4505-the maid} ’s back was turned . [Her]_0-i voice faltered a little ; but it was from sudden surprise , not from hesitation . “_[0-i] Oh , [Annie]_171-anne , [dear]_4117-dear , [you]_4117-dear ’ll find that [you]_4117-dear ca n’t ! ” exclaimed [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} ; “_[0-i] [you]_4117-dear ’ll find it impossible . ” “_[4117-dear] At all events , [you]_4117-dear ’ll have to put it through [[your]_4117-dear aunt]_{1756-your aunt} , ” suggested [Marjory]_249-marjory . “_{[1756-your aunt]} Through [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} ? ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} Do [you]_4117-dear think [she]_{247-aunt claudia} will make [him]_145-hamlin feel it ? Why , [she]_{247-aunt claudia} will answer that such things are going on all round [us]_2342-us , and worse ones . No ; [I]_0-i shall speak to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin [himself]_145-hamlin : [he]_145-hamlin is [the proprietor of [Fremley]_{380-cold fremley}]_{2343-the proprietor of fremley} ; and [he]_145-hamlin is responsible . ” “_[145-hamlin] [You]_4117-dear ’ll never be able to do so , ” insisted [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} ; “_[4117-dear] [you]_4117-dear think [you]_4117-dear will , but [you]_4117-dear ca n’t . Fancy saying all that to [a man]_{503-a man} — and to [a man who is in love with [you]_4117-dear]_{2345-a man who is in love with you} ! ” “_{[2345-a man who is in love with you]} What must be done , must be done , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[2345-a man who is in love with you]} It ’s not a question of liking or disliking . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s [a man]_{503-a man} , and [I]_0-i am [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , and [I]_0-i daresay [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women do n’t talk about such things . But [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin is [the proprietor of [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley}]_{2350-the proprietor of cold fremley} , and that ’s all [I]_0-i have to do with . ” [The Leighs]_{327-the leighs} looked at [her]_0-i with incredulous astonishment . It seemed so simple to [her]_0-i . IT was raining when [they]_5542-they arrived in [London]_4-london — a warmish , brown , clammy autumn day . [The streets]_{4115-the streets} were a porridge of liquid mud , whose trail dragged along the wet asphalt ; [the houses]_{2332-the houses} were staring forth , a livid dirt‐grey , in the thin rain ; and the sky , the very rain , was befouled with grime . Only drays splashed through the mud , and carriages carrying [hurried‐looking people]_{5545-hurried‐looking people} ; [children]_570-children , still in [their]_570-children tattered summer cottons and battered straw hats , stared in at [the shops]_{5547-the shops} , the broad sheen from whose brilliant windows was caught up by the wet pavement , and lingered out , in broken reflections , in the brown ooze of [the thoroughfare]_{5548-the thoroughfare} . Along [the deserted suburban streets]_{5549-the deserted suburban streets} [every second house]_{5550-every second house} seemed to be a gin‐palace , with shining coloured globes , and stucco pinnacles soaked with rain , and ground‐glass windows shining out like a leprosy of white . [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} closed [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} eyes in disgust . Even [the maid]_{4505-the maid} looked depressed . But [Anne]_171-anne stared out of the window of [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} at all the hideous soppy sordidness , which seemed to soil and soak black into one ’s mind ; and [she]_171-anne felt glad . All this was reality : it was the world in which lay [her]_0-i redemption , and the redemption of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [Anne]_171-anne found [Hamlin]_145-hamlin full of [[[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} [Sacha]_359-sacha , upon whom [he]_145-hamlin had already called three times , and in whom , to [his]_145-hamlin surprise , [he]_145-hamlin had found not a trace of [the child whom [he]_145-hamlin had hated]_{5555-the child whom he had hated}]_{5554-his cousin sacha , upon whom he had already called three times , and in whom , to his surprise , he had found not a trace of the child whom he had hated} ; but [a respectable , unworldly young mother , devoted to [[her]_{5556-a respectable , unworldly young mother , devoted to her children , timid , and only deserving a little sympathy} children]_{746-her children} , timid , and only deserving a little sympathy]_{5556-a respectable , unworldly young mother , devoted to her children , timid , and only deserving a little sympathy} . “_[0-i] [She]_2351-she is [a very curious woman]_{2352-a very curious woman} , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , “_{[2352-a very curious woman]} evidently excellent at bottom ; but [I]_0-i do n’t know whether [I]_0-i quite like [her]_2351-she . [She]_2351-she has something very strange about her,—handsome ; and at the same time — [I]_0-i do n’t know exactly what it is — charming , but not quite reassuring . [I]_0-i am so anxious for [you]_2353-you to see [her]_2351-she . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am so awfully glad [she]_2351-she ’s nice , ” exclaimed [Anne]_171-anne . “_[2351-she] Do [you]_2353-you know , [she]_2351-she weighed upon [me]_0-i like a nightmare after all [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} had said . It seemed too horrible that [such a creature]_{2354-such a creature} should exist ; and [I]_0-i felt sure it was all prejudice against [the poor little thing]_{1866-the poor little thing} . ” “_[0-i] Do n’t be in such a hurry , ” laughed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “_[0-i] perhaps [you]_2353-you wo n’t like [her]_2351-she after all . There is something uncanny about [her]_2351-she , decidedly . ” “_[2351-she] [I]_0-i ’m sure that ’s all [your]_2353-you imagination . [You]_2353-you ’re always thinking that things are uncanny : it comes of writing too much about [proud , pale , evil women]_{2356-proud , pale , evil women} , and that sort of nonsense . ” [Anne]_171-anne felt really glad . That the terrible Cousin [Sacha]_359-sacha , [the fiend‐child of [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall}]_{5558-the fiend‐child of wotton hall} , should turn out [a respectable , unworldly young woman]_{5559-a respectable , unworldly young woman} , devoted to [[her]_359-sacha children]_{746-her children} , seemed to [her]_171-anne like the first breaking of the spell which hung over [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [She]_171-anne felt no jealousy of [Cousin Sacha]_359-sacha ; for , as [Hamlin]_145-hamlin spoke of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , it was obvious that if [he]_145-hamlin was anxious to show [her]_2357-she to [Anne]_171-anne , [he]_145-hamlin was equally impatient to display [his]_145-hamlin beautiful ward to [her]_2357-she , who had evidently been told a great deal about [her]_2357-she already . The next day [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was to call on [Anne]_171-anne . [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} took the announcement in a spirit of sombre defiance . “_[2357-she] [She]_2357-she may come , ” [she]_0-i said , “_[2357-she] but [I]_0-i will not see [her]_2357-she . What o’clock is the creature coming ? ” “_[2357-she] Four , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[2357-she] Very well ; then [I]_0-i ’ll order [the brougham]_{4818-the brougham} for half‐past three , and go and make some calls . [Anne]_171-anne may stay behind if [she]_171-anne likes . ” Accordingly , at half‐past three , [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} rolled off in [the brougham]_{4818-the brougham} to [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s , and to [various other people whom [she]_0-i declared [she]_0-i hated]_{5562-various other people whom she declared she hated} . At four o’clock [Hamlin]_145-hamlin came up‐stairs from [[his]_145-hamlin studio]_{1124-his studio} , and [Anne]_171-anne gave [him]_145-hamlin some tea . “_[2357-she] [She]_2357-she will be here in a minute , ” [he]_145-hamlin said . There was a noise of wheels ; [Anne]_171-anne felt [her]_171-anne hand tremble as [she]_171-anne poured out a second cup for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[2357-she] There ! [I]_0-i ’ve gone and spilt it on [your]_0-i cuff ! Is n’t it idiotic of [me]_0-i to feel flurried about seeing [[your]_0-i cousin]_{4341-your cousin} ? ” But the wheels passed on . More wheels , which also passed ; rings and knocks ; but no [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , at every false alarm , got up and looked at [Anne]_171-anne — a long , admiring look at [her]_171-anne stately figure and [her]_171-anne strange pale face , with the overhanging masses of crimp black hair ; at the splendid postures , of which only [Michelangelo]_{328-michelangelo} seemed to have ever understood the magnificent weary weightiness into which [she]_171-anne naturally fell . “_[2357-she] [She]_2357-she is evidently not coming , ” [he]_145-hamlin said with some irritation , as the clock struck five ; “_[2357-she] it ’s too bad , keeping one in for nothing , like this ! ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i did n’t want to go out with [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} ; and [I]_0-i do n’t see how [you]_0-i could have gone on painting after dark . ” “_[0-i] Still it is too annoying . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i daresay it ’s not so easy to go paying visits at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} when [one]_620-one has [children]_570-children to attend to . ” “_[2357-she] Bother [the children]_{3862-the children} ! [she]_2357-she might leave [them]_{3862-the children} to [a nurse]_{2363-a nurse} . ” At that moment [a cab]_{5564-a cab} stopped , and there came a knock . “_[2357-she] That ’s [she]_2357-she ! ” cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and [he]_145-hamlin ran [down‐stairs]_{4807-down‐stairs} . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} entered ; in the dusk [Anne]_171-anne could scarcely see [her]_{360-madame elaguine} face : [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was rather below the average height , but so slender that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} looked tall ; there was something very shy about [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , and [Anne]_171-anne could understand [her]_{360-madame elaguine} shyness . “_[2357-she] [I]_0-i am so glad [you]_2364-you have come , ” [she]_0-i said ; “_[0-i] [we]_2365-we had almost given [you]_2364-you up . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i fear [I]_0-i am very late — perhaps in [your]_2364-you way , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; “_[2364-you] the fact is , [I]_0-i had to take [[my]_0-i little girl]_{2366-my little girl} to choose a doll , and [she]_{2366-my little girl} took nearly an hour about it , ” and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} laughed a little shy laugh . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} had a beautiful voice , high and silvery , and yet warm and caressing , like [a child]_{623-a child} ’s , which inevitably made [you]_2364-you think of delicate green leaves , and fields whitened with budding clover , and all sorts of young and tender things . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} was very thin , almost emaciated , and with a slight droop of the head : it was too dark for [Anne]_171-anne to see [her]_{360-madame elaguine} features distinctly , but [she]_{360-madame elaguine} seemed pretty , and frail , and wasted . There was something in that childish voice which touched [Anne]_171-anne ; [her]_171-anne strong , rebellious disbelief in the horrible Sacha of [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} came indignantly to [her]_171-anne . “_{[2366-my little girl]} It is very good of [you]_2364-you to let [me]_0-i come and see [you]_2364-you , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , after some trifling conversation , “_[2364-you] and very good of [[my]_0-i cousin]_{4336-my cousin} to propose it ; because , ” and [her]_0-i voice , in a sudden outburst of frankness , became just a little tremulous , “_[145-hamlin] [Walter]_145-hamlin must have a very painful recollection of [me]_0-i . It was a very unhappy time when [we]_2368-we were last together , and [I]_0-i often think with shame of what [I]_0-i was then — what [a wretched , badly brought up , bad‐hearted child]_{2369-a wretched , badly brought up , bad‐hearted child} [I]_0-i was . ” “_{[2370-a bad‐hearted child]} If [you]_145-hamlin had been [a bad‐hearted child]_{2370-a bad‐hearted child} , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , “_{[2370-a bad‐hearted child]} [you]_145-hamlin could not be what [you]_145-hamlin are now , [you]_145-hamlin could not speak as [you]_145-hamlin do now . [I]_0-i do n’t believe it . ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} sighed . “_[0-i] At all events , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said , “_[0-i] the question now is no longer what [I]_0-i was or what [I]_0-i am , but what [[my]_0-i children]_{3970-my children} are to be . [I]_0-i am played out ; [I]_0-i only hope [I]_0-i may live to see [them]_{3970-my children} on the road to being happier and more useful creatures than [I]_0-i have been . ” There was something in that clear soft voice , with its just perceptible daintiness of Russian pronunciation , making the English words not less English , but more distinct and liquid , which made what from [any one else]_{1701-any one else} might have seemed strange , quite natural and simple . “_[145-hamlin] [You]_145-hamlin have come to settle in [England]_37-england ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne . “_[145-hamlin] Yes ; at least if it is possible for [me]_0-i ever to settle anywhere . [I]_0-i have been a rolling stone so long , or rather [such a feather carried hither and thither by the wind]_{2372-such a feather carried hither and thither by the wind} , that [I]_0-i can scarcely believe in settling anywhere ; and then , perhaps , [I]_0-i may not be permitted to stay where [I]_0-i should be happy . But [I]_0-i want [[my]_0-i boy]_{2373-my boy} to become [an Englishman]_{860-an englishman} , and at the same time [I]_0-i have n’t the heart to let [him]_{2373-my boy} go away from [me]_0-i . ” “_[0-i] Why should [you]_145-hamlin not settle ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[0-i] surely [you]_145-hamlin will be much happier near [[your]_145-hamlin child]_{2375-your child} . ” “_[0-i] Why may [I]_0-i never do what [I]_0-i wish ? ” exclaimed [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , with a curious wildness ; “_[0-i] why may [I]_0-i not be left to live in peace like [any other insignificant woman , whose life has been a failure]_{2376-any other insignificant woman , whose life has been a failure} ? [I]_0-i am not [[my]_0-i own mistress]_{2377-my own mistress} . ” “_[0-i] Bring lights , ” ordered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who had summoned [the servants]_{5568-the servants} . [He]_145-hamlin was impatient that [the two women]_{4884-the two women} should see each other , impatient to display to [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} the magnificent creature which belonged to [him]_145-hamlin . [They]_{4884-the two women} had begun discussing various school‐plans for [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s children]_{5571-madame elaguine ’s children} when the lamps were brought in . [Anne]_171-anne was surprised when [she]_171-anne saw [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} distinctly ; [she]_171-anne had imagined [her]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} pretty and delicate in an ordinary way , but there was nothing commonplace about [this woman]_{5573-this woman} . [She]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} was pale , and of almost ghastly thinness , and [her]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} features , despite [her]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} small size , were large , and perhaps a little gaunt . It struck [Anne]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne had seen a face like that before , and later [she]_171-anne discovered that what [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} made [her]_171-anne think of was [Sarah Bernhardt]_{384-sarah bernhardt} in one of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} girlish parts , or as [her]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} face looked under the little cap of [[Coppée]_385-coppée ’s page‐boy]_{5574-coppée ’s page‐boy} . It was a charming , frank , worn , yet childish face , full of movement,—a face which seemed to vibrate like a delicate instrument — not exactly beautiful nor exactly lovable , but interesting and fascinating . It seemed to [Anne]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne could perfectly understand the past of [this woman]_{5573-this woman} : a highly nervous , delicate nature , not earnest but passionate , easily turned into the very best or the very worst ; and [she]_171-anne felt more than ever indignant at the thought of the corruption in contact with which [this mobile impressionable creature]_{5576-this mobile impressionable creature} had come as a child,—at the thought of all the unintentional shame which [this woman]_{5573-this woman} must look back upon in [her]_{5573-this woman} childhood . While [they]_5578-they were talking , [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha was equally busy looking at [Anne]_171-anne ; and [Anne]_171-anne puzzled [her]_386-sacha . “_[0-i] Either a volcano or an iceberg , or both , ” said [the little Russian]_{5579-the little russian} to [herself]_{5579-the little russian} , as [she]_{5579-the little russian} looked at [Anne]_171-anne ’s solemn , unruffled , and yet tragic beauty . At that moment [a carriage]_{5580-a carriage} stopped at the door . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin went to the window . [He]_145-hamlin looked rather pale and puzzled as [he]_145-hamlin came back . “_[0-i] Let [me]_0-i show [you]_2378-you [[my]_0-i studio]_{1641-my studio} , [Sacha]_386-sacha , ” [he]_145-hamlin said hurriedly ; “_[0-i] [we]_2380-we can get there quickest by a little back‐stair out of [the library]_{4639-the library} . Will [you]_2378-you come ? ” [Anne]_171-anne understood . [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , who had gone out expecting [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} to come an hour earlier , had returned , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin dreaded a scene . But [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} understood also . “_[2378-you] [[Your]_2378-you aunt]_{1756-your aunt} has returned , ” [she]_0-i said ; “_[2378-you] yes , [I]_0-i ’m sure [she]_{1756-your aunt} has — that ’s why [you]_2378-you want to hide [me]_0-i away ; [you]_2378-you are afraid of a scene . . . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin hesitated ; but [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} seemed to pin [him]_145-hamlin down with [her]_0-i rapid glance . “_{[1756-your aunt]} Well , yes , ” [he]_145-hamlin said ; “_{[1756-your aunt]} what ’s the use of mincing matters ? [You]_2378-you know how unreasonable [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} always was , and what a prejudice [she]_{247-aunt claudia} had against [you]_2378-you . ” “_{[247-aunt claudia]} And has still ; [I]_0-i can believe it . But look here , ” and [the little emaciated creature]_{5581-the little emaciated creature} rapidly stopped [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as [he]_145-hamlin was raising the curtain into the next room—“I_{[1756-your aunt]} am not going to be hid away . [[Your]_2378-you aunt]_{1756-your aunt} has every reason to hate [me]_0-i , and to be angry at finding [me]_0-i [here]_3884-here . But [I]_0-i am not coming into [[her]_{1756-your aunt} house]_{4033-her house} on the sly — [I]_0-i wo n’t be hidden away . [[Your]_2378-you aunt]_{1756-your aunt} may say what [she]_{1756-your aunt} likes to [me]_0-i , but [she]_{1756-your aunt} shall see [me]_0-i here . ” “_{[1756-your aunt]} [I]_0-i think [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is quite right , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , though [she]_0-i knew full well what sort of reception [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} was likely to give to [the detested Sacha]_386-sacha . “_{[1756-your aunt]} [I]_0-i quite understand [her]_{1756-your aunt} feeling . ” “_{[1756-your aunt]} But [you]_{360-madame elaguine} are not coming into [[Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} ’s house]_{2387-aunt claudia ’s house} on the sly , ” insisted [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} In the first place , [this house]_{4073-this house} is not [[Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} ’s house]_{2387-aunt claudia ’s house} , but [[Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s house]_{4980-miss brown ’s house} . [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , like [you]_{360-madame elaguine} and [me]_0-i , is merely [[Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s guest]_{2391-miss brown ’s guest} , and [you]_{360-madame elaguine} have come to see [Miss Brown]_171-anne . In the second place , [[my]_0-i aunt]_{4294-my aunt} knew [you]_{360-madame elaguine} were coming , and went out expressly to avoid meeting [you]_{360-madame elaguine} . ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} listened with a slight look of contempt . “_{[4294-my aunt]} So much the better if [I]_0-i am not intruding behind [her]_{4294-my aunt} back . And it is very considerate of [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} to save [me]_0-i what [she]_{4294-my aunt} knows must be a painful scene . But besides [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , [I]_0-i have [myself]_0-i to think of . [I]_0-i wish to see [[your]_{360-madame elaguine} aunt]_{1756-your aunt} . [I]_0-i wish to have the satisfaction of telling [her]_{4294-my aunt} , that however much [she]_{4294-my aunt} may hate the remembrance of [me]_0-i , [she]_{4294-my aunt} can not hate it more than [I]_0-i do . ” There was something theatrical in this which took [Hamlin]_145-hamlin by surprise ; but it was the theatricalness of a quixotic and passionate temper , and [Anne]_171-anne liked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} for it . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i want to see [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , ” repeated [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} ; “_{[243-mrs macgregor]} but [I]_0-i do n’t want to inflict it upon [you]_{243-mrs macgregor} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . Indeed [I]_0-i fear it is very ill‐bred and very selfish of [me]_0-i to come to [[your]_{243-mrs macgregor} house]_{4310-your house} merely to make a disagreeable scene : still [I]_0-i ca n’t resist the desire , ” and [she]_0-i shook [her]_0-i little head with its close pale‐yellow curls and deep brown eyes , “_[0-i] only — don’t stay — just tell [[your]_{243-mrs macgregor} aunt]_{1756-your aunt} that [I]_0-i am here , and that [I]_0-i want to see [her]_{1756-your aunt} . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will go and tell [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . But as [she]_0-i spoke , [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} entered . [The old lady]_{1153-the old lady} was short‐sighted ; and in [that room]_{5584-that room} , where the light , concentrated on a few spots , left all the more shadow all round , [she]_{1153-the old lady} did not at first notice the presence of [a stranger]_{661-a stranger} . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} Well , is [she]_{1756-your aunt} gone ? ” [she]_{1153-the old lady} asked savagely . “_{[1756-your aunt]} [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is here , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , quietly . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} Here ! ” exclaimed [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} — “_{[1756-your aunt]} still in [this house]_{4073-this house} ! ” “_{[1756-your aunt]} And [she]_{1756-your aunt} has remained , ” went on [Anne]_171-anne , with a weighty coldness which often put down [the old lady]_{1153-the old lady} ’s ebullitions , “_{[1756-your aunt]} because [she]_{1756-your aunt} wants to see [you]_{247-aunt claudia} again . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was standing by the piano . How [he]_145-hamlin wished [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} at the devil for inflicting such a scene upon [him]_145-hamlin ! “_{[1756-your aunt]} The insolence ! ” muttered [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . But [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had come forward and stretched out [her]_0-i hand . “_{[1756-your aunt]} [I]_0-i could not come here without seeing [you]_{247-aunt claudia} , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ” [she]_0-i said , in [her]_0-i clear voice . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} [I]_0-i want to tell [you]_{247-aunt claudia} that , badly , as [I]_0-i behaved as [a child]_{623-a child} , and cruelly unjust though [you]_{247-aunt claudia} were towards [me]_0-i , [I]_0-i bear [you]_{247-aunt claudia} no ill‐will , and only wish to ask for [your]_{247-aunt claudia} forgiveness . ” [She]_0-i had sat down opposite to [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s aunt]_{4652-hamlin ’s aunt} scanned [her]_{247-aunt claudia} from head to foot ; [she]_0-i was taken by surprise , shaken throughout [her]_0-i nature , and at a loss how to answer . “_[358-sacha] So [you]_{247-aunt claudia} are [Sacha Polozoff]_358-sacha , ” said [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} at length , slowly . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} [I]_0-i know all the fine trash which [Anne]_171-anne talks about [the woman]_{4801-the woman} not being the same as [the child]_{660-the child} — maybe ; [I]_0-i hope so , for [your]_{247-aunt claudia} sake . As to forgiveness , [you]_{247-aunt claudia} have [mine]_0-i : but forgiveness is only an empty word ; it does not cancel what has been done , neither from the memory of [God]_195-god nor of [man]_1134-man . Here ; [I]_0-i forgive [you]_{247-aunt claudia} , and take it for what it is worth . ” And [she]_0-i stretched out [her]_0-i hand with a bitter smile . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} stooped down and kissed that shaking old hand . “_[0-i] Whatever [your]_{247-aunt claudia} forgiveness is worth , [I]_0-i take it joyfully ; it can not undo the past , and it can not put an end to injustice and hatred,—so far it is worthless . But to [me]_0-i it gives a new life , because [I]_0-i have been able at last to ask forgiveness , to admit all the mischief [I]_0-i have ever done , and to cast away the faults of [my]_0-i childhood from [my]_0-i own clean self,”—she spoke very low , and with tears in [her]_0-i voice , but with passion and pride . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am happy that [you]_{247-aunt claudia} feel so comfortable , ” replied [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , “_{[247-aunt claudia]} and that [I]_0-i have been conducive thereto . [I]_0-i am happy also to make [your]_{247-aunt claudia} acquaintance , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , and [I]_0-i hope [you]_{247-aunt claudia} will not deprive [[my]_0-i nephew]_{2401-my nephew} and niece of [your]_{247-aunt claudia} society on [my]_0-i account . ” [Sacha]_358-sacha bowed ; the insult seemed to trickle off [her]_358-sacha . [Anne]_171-anne half wondered , half admired . [She]_171-anne could not in the least understand the kind of character which prompted such a useless and hollow ceremony as this ; but as to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , this solemn act of self‐humiliation seemed necessary and just ; [she]_171-anne admired [her]_{360-madame elaguine} for having the courage to carry out [her]_{360-madame elaguine} intention . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} Good‐bye , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , as [Anne]_171-anne accompanied [her]_{247-aunt claudia} into [the anteroom]_{1189-the anteroom} . “_{[247-aunt claudia]} [I]_0-i must beg [your]_{247-aunt claudia} forgiveness a thousand , thousand times for having made a scene in [[your]_{247-aunt claudia} house]_{4310-your house} . [You]_{247-aunt claudia} see , [I]_0-i am [a badly brought‐up woman]_{2403-a badly brought‐up woman} : [I]_0-i was never taught to do anything except what [I]_0-i liked ; and [I]_0-i am what [I]_0-i am , and must say what [I]_0-i feel . ” [Her]_0-i tone was very appealing . “_[0-i] Will [you]_0-i forgive [me]_0-i , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , in [her]_171-anne earnest , solemn way , “_[0-i] if [I]_0-i tell [you]_0-i , what it is perhaps a liberty to tell [you]_0-i , that [I]_0-i have always thought [[my]_0-i aunt]_{4294-my aunt} very unjust towards [you]_0-i ? ” [The little thin woman]_{5590-the little thin woman} looked up in [Anne]_171-anne ’s face . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i are good , ” [she]_{5590-the little thin woman} said . “_[0-i] Will [you]_0-i give [me]_0-i a kiss ? ” [Anne]_171-anne stooped down and kissed [her]_{5590-the little thin woman} shyly on [her]_{5590-the little thin woman} wan cheek . But a sort of shudder passed through [her]_{5590-the little thin woman} as [her]_{5590-the little thin woman} own lips touched that hot face , and grazed the light hair , which seemed to give out some faint Eastern perfume . [This woman]_{5573-this woman} was so unlike anything [she]_171-anne had ever seen — so unlike [her]_{5590-the little thin woman} own simple self . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i will come and see [me]_0-i — and see [[my]_0-i children]_{3970-my children} — won’t [you]_0-i ? ” asked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think it will do [me]_0-i good to know [you]_0-i . ” [She]_{5573-this woman} was very excited , and [she]_{5573-this woman} gasped as if [her]_{5573-this woman} heart were beating like bursting . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will come with [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . “_[145-hamlin] [She]_2406-she is a strange creature , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [he]_145-hamlin followed [Anne]_171-anne up‐stairs from the door . “_[2406-she] Did n’t [I]_0-i tell [you]_145-hamlin [she]_2406-she was uncanny ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t see anything uncanny about [her]_2406-she . [She]_2406-she is very nervous and excitable — very Russian , [I]_0-i should say — and accustomed always to follow [her]_2406-she impulses ; but [I]_0-i think [she]_2406-she is [a brave little woman]_{2407-a brave little woman} . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ca n’t make [her]_2406-she out . Did [you]_145-hamlin notice [her]_2406-she mouth ? it looks as if it would bite : and [she]_2406-she has strange eyes ; [one]_620-one looks into them , and finds [she]_2406-she has merely drawn out [one]_620-one ’s soul without showing [her]_2406-she own . ” [Anne]_171-anne laughed . “_[2406-she] [Poor little woman]_{2410-poor little woman} ! Fancy what [her]_2406-she feelings would be if [she]_2406-she ever knew all that ! [I]_0-i wonder , by the way , whether [you]_145-hamlin ever thought [me]_0-i strange , and told [people]_577-people that [I]_0-i had . a mouth which would bite , and eyes in which [you]_145-hamlin get drowned ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i always thought , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , looking at [Anne]_171-anne , and seeing [her]_171-anne again in that close‐fitting white bodice , with rolled‐up sleeves , bending [her]_171-anne magnificent head over the iron‐board in [the little nursery]_{5592-the little nursery} , with frescoes of blue skies , and blue seas , and ducks , and [people]_577-people in [boats]_1296-boats , at [the Villa Arnolfini—“I]_{5595-the villa arnolfini—“i[0-i]} always thought that [you]_145-hamlin had something strange in [you]_145-hamlin , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; some terrible thing to do or to suffer in the future ; some great passion or action — [I]_0-i do n’t know clearly what , but something heroic ; and [I]_0-i think so now — ” [Anne]_171-anne smiled ; but [she]_171-anne took [his]_145-hamlin words to heart , for somehow that same impression which [he]_145-hamlin said [he]_145-hamlin had received from [her]_171-anne face [she]_171-anne had had vaguely in [her]_171-anne heart . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i hope the strangeness may consist in being [a tolerably well‐behaved and useful young woman]_{2412-a tolerably well‐behaved and useful young woman} , ” [she]_171-anne said , “_{[2413-a tolerably grateful one]} and — [a tolerably grateful one]_{2413-a tolerably grateful one} . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i WONDER whether [Anne Brown]_171-anne has really spoken about that Cold Fremley business to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” remarked [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory to [[her]_249-marjory sister]_{603-her sister} one day , soon after [their]_2414-their return to [town]_821-town . “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i think [she]_171-anne ’ll never do it , after all . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t see how [she]_171-anne can , ” answered [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} ; “_[171-anne] at least [I]_0-i ca n’t conceive doing such a thing . But [I]_0-i do n’t think [we]_2414-their must judge [Anne]_171-anne by [ourselves]_2414-their : when once [she]_171-anne thinks something ought to be done , [she]_171-anne is quite capable of forcing [herself]_171-anne to do it . [Anne]_171-anne is quite unlike [any one else]_{1701-any one else} . ” “_[171-anne] Fiddlestick ! ” cried [Marjory]_249-marjory ; “_[171-anne] [you]_0-i do n’t know anything about [women]_3959-women , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} . ” But despite [[her]_249-marjory sister]_{603-her sister} ’s superior knowledge of womankind and of everything else , [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} was in the right ; perhaps in some cases enthusiastic admiration gives a better clue to action than mere common‐sense . [Anne]_171-anne really was made in such a way that when once [she]_171-anne was persuaded that any course was the right one , no dislike which [she]_171-anne might have to it , no thought of being considered queer , or improper , or quixotic , could restrain [her]_171-anne from it . The thing became none the pleasanter to do ; but it was done unflinchingly : indeed there was in [Anne]_171-anne an almost destructive quality of will , a power of ruthlessly cutting through all obstacles , the passing consciousness of which , joined with the consciousness of the many disagreeable things which it might at any moment force [her]_171-anne to go through , produced in [her]_171-anne a curious kind of pessimism , which , while it recognised the evil of [the world]_{496-the world} , made that very recognition an incitement to struggle for good . [Anne]_171-anne had made up [her]_171-anne mind that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin must have the horrible condition of [his]_145-hamlin Cold [Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} tenants explained to [him]_145-hamlin . [She]_171-anne fully appreciated the unseemliness , the painfulness , of such a revelation coming from [her]_171-anne ; but as there appeared to be [no one else who could satisfactorily make it]_{5600-no one else who could satisfactorily make it} to [him]_145-hamlin , it must be made by [her]_171-anne . “_[0-i] It is very simple , ” [she]_171-anne said to [herself]_171-anne : and this was the most characteristic remark that [Anne]_171-anne could ever make ; for it is curious how very much simpler life does become to [people who are in the habit of acting without regard for]_{5601-people who are in the habit of acting without regard for} [their]_{5601-people who are in the habit of acting without regard for} own feelings . But it was , though simple , difficult , not on [her]_171-anne own account , but on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s . In the first few days after [her]_171-anne return from [Wotton]_94-wotton , [she]_171-anne had several times been on the point of broaching the subject , but [she]_171-anne had desisted on noticing the absolute want of seriousness in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s manner , the æsthetic vagueness and fickleness of [his]_145-hamlin thoughts . “_[0-i] [He]_2417-he will do nothing practical in this mood , ” [she]_171-anne said to [herself]_171-anne ; and as , time after time , [she]_171-anne watched for a propitious moment without finding it , [Anne]_171-anne became painfully aware , as [one]_620-one becomes aware of some deficiency in a valued piece of property only when it is pointed out , of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s want of seriousness , of [his]_145-hamlin utter want of any habit of asking [himself]_145-hamlin about [his]_145-hamlin responsibilities , or indeed of thinking about anything except [himself]_145-hamlin and the beautiful and weird things which delighted [him]_145-hamlin . “_[2417-he] Perhaps it is cowardice on [my]_0-i part , ” [Anne]_171-anne suddenly thought ; “_[0-i] perhaps [I]_0-i find that [he]_2417-he is not fit to attend to the subject because [I]_0-i dislike mentioning it . ” So it must be done at once . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [she]_171-anne knew , was alone in [[his]_145-hamlin studio]_{1124-his studio} ; [he]_145-hamlin must have finished [his]_145-hamlin afternoon ’s work , or very nearly , and there was no [Chough]_379-hamlin , or [Lewis]_353-lewis , or [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} on the horizon . So [Anne]_171-anne closed the piano at which [she]_171-anne had been practising some of [Chough]_379-hamlin ’s favourite old music , and went down‐stairs . [She]_171-anne had made up [her]_171-anne mind ; but , as [she]_171-anne went slowly to [the studio]_{795-the studio} , [she]_171-anne felt [her]_171-anne heart begin to flutter and to beat , and a cold perspiration to start out in [her]_171-anne forehead . For all [her]_171-anne familiarity with [the æsthetic world]_{5605-the æsthetic world} , in whose apprehension , as [[Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} ’s Yankee friend]_{5606-thaddy o’reilly ’s yankee friend} had quietly remarked , “_[0-i] right or wrong do n’t exist,”—for all [her]_171-anne habit of reading poems in which every unmentionable shamefulness was used as so much vermilion or pale‐green or mysterious grey in a picturesque and suggestive composition,—Anne had retained a constitutional loathing for touching some subjects , which was like the blind instinctive horror of certain animals for brackish water or mud . When [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory had first taken [her]_171-anne into [her]_171-anne confidence , and told [her]_171-anne of the pools of sin which stagnated among [the starving , unwashed , and unlettered million]_{5607-the starving , unwashed , and unlettered million} , [Anne]_171-anne had recoiled , and felt a sort of momentary horror for [Marjory]_249-marjory , a sort of resentment at this foulness thus obtruded on to [her]_171-anne ; and this feeling , which would sometimes still recur while talking with [[her]_171-anne philanthropic friend]_{5608-her philanthropic friend} , was perhaps the thing in all [her]_171-anne life of which [Anne]_171-anne was the most profoundly ashamed . [The æsthetes all round [her]_171-anne]_{5609-the æsthetes all round her} would let all [the world]_{496-the world} rot away in physical hideousness rather than have that physical hideousness put before [their]_{5609-the æsthetes all round her} eyes ; and [she]_171-anne , was [she]_171-anne not even worse , in [her]_171-anne cowardly horror of seeing moral wounds and leprosies ? So [Anne]_171-anne argued with [herself]_171-anne ; and [she]_171-anne would now face anything ; but the feeling of moral sickness was there , however bravely [she]_171-anne might look at evil , and try and help to remedy it . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am [a base creature]_{2418-a base creature} , ” [Anne]_171-anne thought as [she]_171-anne felt [her]_171-anne heart fluttering as if it would break loose , as [she]_171-anne stood and knocked at [the studio]_{795-the studio} door . “_[0-i] Come in , ” cried [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . [He]_379-hamlin thought it was [the servant]_{4647-the servant} , for at first [he]_379-hamlin did not turn round , but continued writing at a beautiful , fantastically inlaid desk in a corner . “_[0-i] It ’s [I]_0-i , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . [He]_379-hamlin started up to meet [her]_171-anne . “_[0-i] How sweet of [you]_0-i to come , [Madonna Anna]_{387-madonna anna} ! ” [he]_379-hamlin said , beaming ; “_{[387-madonna anna]} [I]_0-i was just wanting so much to see [you]_0-i — [I]_0-i do n’t know why — a sort of silly , nostalgic wish . It ’s ridiculous to be nostalgic about [a person who is on the first floor]_{2419-a person who is on the first floor} , when [I]_0-i am on [the ground floor]_{2420-the ground floor} , is n’t it ? and yet it is so . [I]_0-i was feeling quite an over‐ powering desire to see [you]_0-i . And [you]_0-i seem to have felt it , through the ceiling , carpets and all , do n’t [you]_0-i ? ” [Anne]_171-anne smiled faintly , but [her]_171-anne heart sank . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i also wanted [you]_0-i to see how [I]_0-i have been getting on with [my]_0-i Beatrice , ” [he]_379-hamlin said , and rolled an easel into the middle of [the room]_{574-the room} . [Anne]_171-anne stood for a moment before the almost Giorgionesquely magnificent picture , looking vaguely at [the well‐known lady]_{5614-the well‐known lady} — with those strange , half‐classic , half‐Semitic , and yet a little Ethiopian , features , those wide grey eyes , that pent‐roof of crisp , lustreless , black hair , those hollowed cheeks and tragic lips which had by this time become so familiar to the artistic world of [London]_4-london . It never seemed to [her]_171-anne that this could have anything to do with [her]_171-anne , [this sombre , mystic , wistful woman of unreality]_{5615-this sombre , mystic , wistful woman of unreality} . But [she]_171-anne was not thinking of that ; [she]_171-anne stood at the picture , but almost without seeing it . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was standing a little aside , looking from [her]_171-anne to the picture , and from the picture to [her]_171-anne , and humming the lines from [Dante]_180-dante ’s sonnet , which [Chough]_379-hamlin had set to music — “_[0-i] Ch’ogni lingua divien tremando muta , Egli occhi non ardiscon di guardare . ” “_[0-i] Certainly , ” [he]_379-hamlin said to [himself]_379-hamlin , “_[180-dante] [Dante]_180-dante had not a better [Beatrice]_187-beatrice than this . ” “_[180-dante] [I]_0-i want to speak to [you]_2421-you , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , suddenly turning round . Something in [her]_171-anne voice took [him]_2421-you by surprise . “_[145-hamlin] So much the better , ” [he]_2421-you said , pulling forward a heavy arm‐chair , covered with old‐fashioned green brocade . [Anne]_171-anne sat down . How was [she]_171-anne to begin ? [She]_171-anne had intended to prelude with some sort of apology for entering on such a subject ; but , somehow , now [she]_171-anne could not apologise . “_[145-hamlin] Do [you]_2421-you remember [a hamlet near [Wotton]_94-wotton]_{2422-a hamlet near wotton} , close by [the river]_{4465-the river} , called [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , slowly . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had just caught a look which [he]_145-hamlin wanted for [his]_145-hamlin picture , and [he]_145-hamlin had taken up [his]_145-hamlin painting things . “_[145-hamlin] Yes , ” and [he]_145-hamlin looked up from [his]_145-hamlin palette in [Anne]_171-anne ’s pale face , with the almost monochrome faint‐red lips and the delicately hollowed cheeks . “_[145-hamlin] What about it ? [I]_0-i remember it quite well . Oh yes , [a lovely spot]_{2424-a lovely spot} ; and [we]_2425-we went [there]_4426-there one evening together . ” “_[2425-we] Just so ; well , it appears that [this hamlet]_{2427-this hamlet} , or rather group of [six or seven cabins]_{2428-six or seven cabins} , belongs to [you]_2421-you — is part of [the Wotton property]_{2429-the wotton property} . ” “_[0-i] Is it ? [I]_0-i did n’t know that . Fancy [my]_0-i being [the unsuspecting proprietor of [such a lovely place]_{2431-such a lovely place}]_{2430-the unsuspecting proprietor of such a lovely place} ! [I]_0-i am so glad ; [I]_0-i want to write a poem about it one day . ” “_[0-i] And it appears , ” went on [Anne]_171-anne , carefully steadying [her]_171-anne voice , but keeping [her]_171-anne eyes on the little cypress‐trees and conventional anemones of the Persian rug under [her]_171-anne feet—“it_[0-i] appears that the condition of [the people who live in [those houses]_{2433-those houses}]_{2432-the people who live in those houses} is very , very horrible ; [the cabins]_{2434-the cabins} have barely more than one room , into which [the whole family]_{2435-the whole family} is piled . ” “_[0-i] Loathsome ! ” cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , with a shudder , “_[0-i] and in such [a lovely spot]_{2424-a lovely spot} . Do [you]_2421-you remember the thick clotted masses of [the river]_{4465-the river} dragging between [the meadow‐sweet and willow‐herb]_{2438-the meadow‐sweet and willow‐herb} ? ” “_[2421-you] It is very loathsome , ” went on [Anne]_171-anne , a coldness coming all over [her]_171-anne . “_[2421-you] ’ [The people]_{871-the people} are very wretched , poor , always ill of fever , with no more sense of right and wrong than cattle . ” “_[2421-you] Very dreadful indeed , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , mixing [his]_145-hamlin paints . “_[2421-you] Of course nothing can be done — nothing ever can , [you]_2421-you know — ” “_[2421-you] Something can and must be done ! ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_[2421-you] It appears that in consequence of this utter wretchedness and ignorance , and especially on account of the degrading effect of being all huddled together , [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women , [boys]_1953-boys and [girls]_1352-girls , all of [them]_{871-the people} , in [one room which is [bedroom]_2445-bedroom , [kitchen]_2446-kitchen , [sitting‐room]_{2447-sitting‐room}]_{2444-one room which is bedroom , kitchen , sitting‐room} , everything at the same time,—it appears that [these miserable creatures]_{2448-these miserable creatures} have gradually come to live worse than animals ; [they]_{2448-these miserable creatures} grow , and let [[their]_{2448-these miserable creatures} children]_{2449-their children} in turn grow up in horrible , shameful sin . ” The difficulty of saying it had vanished ; [Anne]_171-anne felt that , whether [she]_171-anne would or would not , it must come out . [Her]_171-anne voice had kept steady , but died out in terrible hoarseness ; and [her]_171-anne wide‐opened eyes fixed themselves upon [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin let [his]_145-hamlin hand with the palette drop on [his]_145-hamlin knee , and listened with deep attention . “_{[2448-these miserable creatures]} How very strange ! ” [he]_145-hamlin said ; “_{[2448-these miserable creatures]} how very strange — how tragic ! ” “_{[2448-these miserable creatures]} It is tragic , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[2448-these miserable creatures]} Oh , [I]_0-i think nothing in [the wide world]_{2450-the wide world} can be more tragic ! What is the murder of the body to this ? or what is any crime which [one man]_{4265-one man} can commit towards another , compared with [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women being pushed into wickedness by mere external circumstances , being condemned without knowing it , [mere blind , indifferent creatures]_{2454-mere blind , indifferent creatures} , to befoul [their]_{2448-these miserable creatures} souls in this way ? ” [Anne]_171-anne had not the slightest thought of being eloquent , but [she]_171-anne was , not only in [her]_171-anne words , but in [her]_171-anne face and look . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin appreciated it ; [he]_145-hamlin was struck . Such a view of evil and of fate had never presented itself to [him]_145-hamlin ; [he]_145-hamlin recognised how much newer and grander it was than the usual platitude about fatal passion in which [he]_145-hamlin and [[his]_145-hamlin school]_{5209-his school} had indulged . “_[0-i] Are [you]_0-i quite sure of this ? ” [he]_145-hamlin asked , with some interest . “_[0-i] [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} gave one of [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} all the details of it . If [you]_0-i would go to [her]_{376-harry collett} , [she]_{376-harry collett} would tell [you]_0-i all about it ; [she]_{376-harry collett} has been afraid , ashamed of mentioning it to [you]_0-i , so [I]_0-i have done it . But if only [you]_0-i would speak to [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} now , [she]_{376-harry collett} would explain to [you]_0-i exactly that ought to be done . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not seem to attend . “_{[376-harry collett]} It is awfully grand , ” [he]_145-hamlin mused—“all_{[376-harry collett]} the grander for the utter unconsciousness , involuntariness . It would make a splendid subject for a poem . [I]_0-i always felt there must be something in [that county]_{2455-that county} which should correspond to the tragic look of everything . So much [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} ’s notion that there is n’t anything poetical or terrible in reality . ” A sickening fear came over [Anne]_171-anne . But [she]_171-anne drove it from [her]_171-anne : [she]_171-anne tried to say to [herself]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne had expected this ; that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , being unaccustomed to any serious thought of the evil of [others]_4163-others , and being [a poet]_{498-a poet} , would at first take things in this way . “_{[376-harry collett]} [Mrs Collett]_{376-harry collett} says that there is hope of saving these miserable creatures by building [better dwellings]_{2324-better dwellings} for [them]_2457-them ; trying to turn [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} into [a village]_{2458-a village} , and setting up [a school]_{2459-a school} . [I]_0-i have been thinking over it a great deal [myself]_0-i . Of course [I]_0-i ’m very ignorant . But [I]_0-i ’ve heard that [the river]_{4465-the river} ought to be valuable for water‐power , because there is no other one near ; so [I]_0-i thought the simplest would be to try and induce [some one]_{1380-some one} — or do it [yourself]_{2462-yourself} — to set up [a factory there]_{2463-a factory there} . That would give [the people]_{871-the people} work , and give [them]_{871-the people} ideas of decent living , and then [a school]_{2459-a school} would have to be opened . ” The word [factory]_5619-factory seemed to sear into [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s nerves . “_[0-i] [A factory on [that river]_{2467-that river}]_{2466-a factory on that river} ? on [[my]_0-i property]_{2468-my property} ? to befoul [all that pure and exquisite country with smoke and machine refuse]_{2469-all that pure and exquisite country with smoke and machine refuse} ! ” [he]_145-hamlin cried indignantly . “_[0-i] [One single factory]_{2470-one single factory} need not befoul anything , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , sternly . “_[0-i] And all the smoke and machine refuse in [the wide world]_{2450-the wide world} could not make that neighbourhood one‐hundredth part as foul as it is made by the sin of [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} . No , not one‐thousandth part as foul as [our]_2472-our own hearts , if [we]_2472-our let such an evil exist under [our]_2472-our eyes . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin seemed moved and puzzled . “_{[380-cold fremley]} It is very dreadful , ” [he]_145-hamlin mused . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i really had no notion that such things go on nowadays . [One]_620-one is apt to think [the world]_{496-the world} much more commonplace than it is . [I]_0-i will go to [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} some day soon . [I]_0-i ’ll take [Lewis]_353-lewis with [me]_0-i , [he]_353-lewis ’ll be very much interested in it . [I]_0-i daresay , ” [he]_145-hamlin added , “_[0-i] that there ’s a great deal of exaggeration about it . But as to [the factory]_{2475-the factory} , [I]_0-i consider it would be against [my]_0-i conscience to permit such a thing : there is no greater pollution in [England]_37-england than [factories]_{2476-factories} ; thank Heaven , there are as yet few in [our county]_{2477-our county} ; and [I]_0-i would rather die than spoil [that beautiful peaceful bit of ground]_{2478-that beautiful peaceful bit of ground} . ” Against this [Anne]_171-anne felt it useless to struggle . “_[2479-you] Since [you]_2479-you will not hear of the only plan which would easily improve the condition of [those people]_{2016-those people} , ” [she]_171-anne went on , “_[2479-you] let [us]_2481-us leave [the factory]_{2475-the factory} alone ; it is not necessary : a few hundred pounds will amply pay for improving , enlarging [the six or seven houses of which Cold Fremley]_{2483-the six or seven houses of which cold fremley} consists . As to draining , [every one]_{4712-every one} says that were [that county]_{2455-that county} drained , it would amply repay the expense by the superior quality of the crops . All that is wanted for the present , ” invocated [Anne]_171-anne in despair , “_{[4712-every one]} is that [the people]_{871-the people} should have more room — that [they]_{871-the people} should not herd like cattle — that [the growing children]_{2487-the growing children} , at least , should not be forced into contact with all that vice . And all that can be gained by merely enlarging [the cottages]_{2488-the cottages} . ” “_[2479-you] Such a thing as [you]_2479-you suggest would — besides being , in [my]_0-i opinion , perfectly useless — involve a very heavy expense , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , coldly . “_[2479-you] Not more , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , blazing up—“not_[0-i] more than [you]_0-i have been at in educating [me]_0-i , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ! ” The words were scarcely out of [her]_171-anne mouth when [she]_171-anne repented of them . “_[0-i] Perhaps , ” [she]_171-anne added sullenly , “_[0-i] that also has been a waste . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not answer ; [he]_145-hamlin was taken by surprise , embarrassed . “_[0-i] The cases are wholly dissimilar . The left hand may not ask the right hand what it has or has not been able to do . ” “_[0-i] What do [you]_0-i mean , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? If [you]_0-i have been spending more than [you]_0-i can afford on [me]_0-i — oh , do n’t think [I]_0-i ’m not grateful — but please , please , spend no more . [This house]_{4073-this house} might be sold . [You]_0-i do n’t live in [it]_{4073-this house} after all , and [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} would be just as happy at [Wotton]_94-wotton . [The house]_{509-the house} and furniture must be worth a good deal , and then there is the expense of housekeeping in [London]_4-london . Do think of it . [I]_0-i am sure [you]_0-i could raise money enough in that way . ” “_[0-i] [This house]_{4073-this house} is not [mine]_145-hamlin , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , quietly ; “_[171-anne] [it]_{4073-this house} was bought out of [your]_171-anne capital ; and the expenses [you]_171-anne mention are paid out of [your]_171-anne income , not [mine]_145-hamlin . ” [He]_145-hamlin had wasted all this on [her]_171-anne , and [the people on [[his]_145-hamlin estate]_{5621-his estate}]_{5620-the people on his estate} lived in [foul , sinful hovels]_{5622-foul , sinful hovels} ! A strange gratitude , mixed with horror , overcame [Anne]_171-anne ; all the beautiful things about [her,—her]_171-anne beautiful fantastic dress , which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin always designed for [her]_171-anne , [her]_171-anne knowledge and good‐breeding,—all that had been paid for with that money , became loathsome to [her]_171-anne . “_[145-hamlin] It is not [mine]_145-hamlin — not [mine]_145-hamlin ; [I]_0-i am [a mere beggar]_{2492-a mere beggar} living off [your]_145-hamlin charity , ” [she]_0-i exclaimed—“living_{[2492-a mere beggar]} off what [I]_0-i have no right to , what ought to go to [them]_2493-them — to [those poor sinful creatures at [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley}]_{2494-those poor sinful creatures at cold fremley} . Oh , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , sell [this house]_{4073-this house} , sell the furniture , all , all . Enough has been done for [me]_0-i ; [I]_0-i do n’t want all these beautiful things in order to be happy ; [I]_0-i could be happy anywhere , doing anything , if [I]_0-i knew that there was one evil the less in [the world]_{496-the world} . If there did not remain enough to live upon , [I]_0-i could go out as [a governess]_{2497-a governess} , or [a schoolmistress]_{5337-a schoolmistress} . [I]_0-i have learned quite enough to do that — indeed [I]_0-i am in earnest — [I]_0-i should be perfectly happy gaining [my]_0-i bread as [I]_0-i used to . Only let something be done for [those people]_{2016-those people} — don’t let [me]_0-i feel that every lovely thing [I]_0-i look at , every beautiful thing [I]_0-i hear , every word [you]_2500-you say , every pleasure [I]_0-i feel , is as sinful as those sinful lives ! ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin smiled ; [he]_145-hamlin admired and disbelieved ; but what [a magnificent woman]_{5623-a magnificent woman} [she]_2500-you was ! what passion , what fervour under that cold exterior ! “_[2500-you] There is no need for that , ” [he]_145-hamlin said gently , looking at [Anne]_171-anne with admiring and loving eyes . “_[2500-you] [I]_0-i am not so poor as that , and [I]_0-i would starve rather than see [you]_2500-you deprived of any single thing to which [you]_2500-you have a right . ” “_[2500-you] Then [you]_2500-you will go to [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} ? [You]_2500-you will see about it ? ” [He]_145-hamlin was good and generous at bottom — [she]_171-anne knew it ; and [she]_171-anne could have fallen on [her]_171-anne knees and cried like [a child]_{623-a child} with [her]_171-anne head upon [his]_145-hamlin arm . “_[2500-you] [I]_0-i will go to [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} , ” [he]_145-hamlin answered with alacrity . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i want to go [there]_4426-there . [I]_0-i want to study the whole matter — ” “_[0-i] What do [you]_0-i want to study it for ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , suddenly and terribly ; “_[0-i] to improve matters , or — to write a poem ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do wish to write a poem , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who felt no shame for doing so , and resented being thus reproved . “_[0-i] Certainly [I]_0-i wish to write a poem . [You]_2502-you made such a fuss about [my]_0-i tearing up that ‘ Ballad of [the Fens’—well]_{107-the fens’—well} , [I]_0-i now see [my]_0-i way to making use of all the best parts of it , and with a real tragic and passionate motive . As to improving matters , [I]_0-i will look about [me]_0-i . But [I]_0-i totally disbelieve in the utility of giving [these people better dwellings]_{2503-these people better dwellings} . Of course , ” [he]_145-hamlin went on gently , but with that tone of knowledge of the evil of [the world]_{496-the world} which [Anne]_171-anne so much hated—“of_[2504-you] course [you]_2504-you , who are pure and upright , who can not conceive the reality of lust and the fascination of evil — [you]_2504-you can never understand the hold which evil has in [this world]_{5351-this world} ; [you]_2504-you can not understand that the passion for sin may exist as there exists in [you]_2504-you the passion for good ; that [most men]_{2506-most men} receive in [[their]_{2506-most men} father]_{902-their father} ’s blood , in [[their]_{2506-most men} mother]_{699-their mother} ’s milk , the haschisch of sinful desire,—that the more [they]_{2506-most men} grow , the more it grows in [them]_{2506-most men} — that it is [their]_{2506-most men} very life , and is perpetually seeking for aliment . Evil is ; it can not be stamped out . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s eyes sparkled , and [he]_145-hamlin spoke with a flush ; but there was no excitement , no horror in [his]_145-hamlin tone . [Anne]_171-anne felt that [he]_145-hamlin was reciting in prose what [he]_145-hamlin would soon write in verse . “_[2509-you] In short , ” [she]_171-anne said , “_[2509-you] [you]_2509-you think the sinfulness of [the people of [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley}]_{2510-the people of cold fremley} fits very well into [the landscape]_{2511-the landscape} ? [You]_2509-you think it , as [you]_2509-you said , very picturesque and grand ? ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was [a man who could not easily keep at high moral tension]_{5626-a man who could not easily keep at high moral tension} . “_[2509-you] Well , yes , ” [he]_145-hamlin answered ; “_[2509-you] of course it is very shocking , and if anything could be done , why , [I]_0-i should be glad . But [I]_0-i know nothing can be done ; and although it is very much to be regretted , yet [I]_0-i do n’t think [you]_2509-you can deny that there is something very grand and tragic in this sin flowering like evil grasses in [that marsh]_{2512-that marsh} . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i see , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , faintly — everything seemed to be turning all round [her]_171-anne ; “_[0-i] good‐bye . ” “_[0-i] [You]_2509-you must n’t be angry with [me]_0-i , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , following [her]_171-anne to [the studio]_{795-the studio} door . “_[2509-you] [You]_2509-you see [I]_0-i , unfortunately , have much more experience of life and evil than [you]_2509-you will ever have . [I]_0-i know that fatality of sin ; and that makes [me]_0-i take things in a different way from how [you]_2509-you take them . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s voice sounded faint and distant to [Anne]_171-anne , hollow like an echo in [a whispering chamber]_{5628-a whispering chamber} . [She]_171-anne went mechanically up‐stairs ; [she]_171-anne did not know how [she]_171-anne felt , but everything seemed surrounded by thick , clammy horror ; [the world]_{496-the world} was going to pieces . When [she]_171-anne had shut the door of [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} behind [her]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne threw [herself]_171-anne with [her]_171-anne face on [her]_171-anne bed , and burst into an agony of half‐audible sobs . But when at length hours passed , and [the maid]_{4505-the maid} came to ask whether [she]_171-anne would come to tea , [Anne]_171-anne felt no better ; a black despair weighed upon [her]_171-anne . On [her]_171-anne dressing‐table stood a Japanese jar , filled with delicate autumnal roses ; they had the pallor , the diaphanous purity which the frost gives to flowers , as approaching death gives it sometimes to [human creatures]_{5632-human creatures} . [Anne]_171-anne looked at them ; and then , without passion or excitement , [she]_171-anne took them out of the vase , and threw them into the fire . [She]_171-anne watched the petals shrivel and fall to black dust on the flame , and the leaves and stalks turn slowly , with a hissing noise , into glowing embers . Then [she]_171-anne felt ashamed . The poor flowers were pure — they at least were clean — and [she]_171-anne had destroyed them . And [Anne]_171-anne buried [her]_171-anne head in [her]_171-anne hands , and began to sob once more . [THE Leigh girls]_{4986-the leigh girls} never discovered which of [them]_{4986-the leigh girls} was in the right ; and as [Anne]_171-anne never made any further allusion to [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} , [they]_{4986-the leigh girls} concluded that [she]_171-anne had not spoken to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin about it . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin noticed no change in [her]_171-anne , but then [he]_145-hamlin never expected to see one : [Anne]_171-anne became gradually more silent , more indifferent , more abrupt in [her]_171-anne answers . [Some people]_{5310-some people} said , “_[2513-she] [She]_2513-she is getting spoilt by being made too much of ; ” and others , like [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} , hinted that the vagaries and splendours of æsthetic society , the poems and music and improprieties of [Chough]_379-hamlin and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , the nudities and [Elizabethan dramatists of [Lewis]_353-lewis]_{5635-elizabethan dramatists of lewis} , were beginning to pall upon [Miss Brown]_171-anne . “_[2513-she] [I]_0-i ’ll bet anything , ” said [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} , “_[2513-she] that as soon as [they]_2514-they are married , [the new Mrs Hamlin]_388-hamlin will abandon Mantegnesque costumes , will open a bill with Worth , and insist upon hiring [a house in [Belgravia]_{108-belgravia}]_{2515-a house in belgravia} for at least one season . ” So said [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} ; but it must be added that [he]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} said it to [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , to alarm and anger whose hereditary high‐art passions was [the little journalist]_{4871-the little journalist} ’s great delight . [Anne]_171-anne still went out into [æsthetic society]_{5637-æsthetic society} , [she]_171-anne still listened to new poems and to literary discussions , [she]_171-anne still sat to [Hamlin]_388-hamlin and to [half‐a‐dozen other painters]_{5638-half‐a‐dozen other painters} ; but when [people]_577-people at concerts or the play used to point out [Miss Brown]_171-anne as [the queen of æstheticism]_{5640-the queen of æstheticism} , [they]_577-people little guessed how far removed were the thoughts of [this queen]_{5641-this queen} from [[her]_{5641-this queen} realm]_{5642-her realm} and [[her]_{5641-this queen} subjects]_{5643-her subjects} . Ever since that memorable conversation about [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} , beautiful things,—all the things — poetry , painting , music , romance — which had originally surrounded [Hamlin]_388-hamlin with a sort of luminous emanation in [Anne]_171-anne ’s eyes,—had grown loathsome to [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne knew that it was unfair and absurd , but [she]_171-anne could not resist the feeling that all the fair forms and sound patterns and imaginary passions of poetry — nay , that the very beauty of nature , where any existed — were foul ; and [her]_171-anne soul shrank from them as from contamination . [She]_171-anne began to take a grim pleasure in that sordid ugliness which had , on [her]_171-anne arrival in [London]_4-london , given [her]_171-anne such a shock , and to which [Hamlin]_388-hamlin and [[his]_5644-his friends]_{893-his friends} were always shutting [their]_577-people eyes . The fog , the black ooze , the melancholy monotony of griminess , the hideousness of [the men]_{4543-the men} and women in [the streets]_{4115-the streets} , jarred upon [her]_171-anne much less than the beautiful pictures of Italian scenery which [Hamlin]_388-hamlin hung up at [Hammersmith,—than]_{109-hammersmith,—than} [the lovely , mysterious creatures in jewel‐coloured robes]_{5648-the lovely , mysterious creatures in jewel‐coloured robes} , wandering in [distant countries of bliss]_{5649-distant countries of bliss} and romance , which [Hamlin]_388-hamlin painted . The poetry of pure beauty sickened [her]_171-anne ; and [she]_171-anne could not take up even the purest poems of [that school]_{5650-that school} , not even the mere charming pieces of decoration of Morris , without putting them down with disgust . [She]_171-anne began to feel a vague nostalgic longing after [her]_171-anne own past : faint recollections of [[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} ’s grimy , workshop at [Spezia]_14-spezia , of [the poor little room where [[her]_171-anne mother]_{1278-her mother} had sat doing cheap dressmaking]_{5652-the poor little room where her mother had sat doing cheap dressmaking} , returned to [her]_171-anne . The life at [Florence]_6-florence , the sordid life with [the Perrys]_{1062-the perrys} , the tattered furniture and [ill‐swept rooms]_{5655-ill‐swept rooms} , [the dirty and noisy kitchen]_{5656-the dirty and noisy kitchen} with the haunting smell of sink ; the dull routine of washing and ironing and mending , of dressing and undressing [the refractory children]_{5657-the refractory children} , of teaching [them]_{5657-the refractory children} [their]_{5657-the refractory children} letters and trying to keep [them]_{5657-the refractory children} tidy ; the ill‐will , the muttered anger , the jeering scraps of song of [the other servants]_{5658-the other servants} , who resented [Anne]_171-anne ’s superiority,—all these recollections which had almost been effaced during [her]_171-anne happy new life at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz and in [London]_4-london , returned to [her]_171-anne , vivid as reality , and filled [her]_171-anne with unaccountable yearning . And yet , when [she]_171-anne asked [herself]_171-anne what this meant , [she]_171-anne could not but confess that [she]_171-anne was different from what [she]_171-anne had then been ; that [she]_171-anne had absorbed too much of the new life ever to be happy in the old one — nay , that that very indignation with the mere selfish worship of beauty which made all things seem black in [her]_171-anne eyes , would never have been possible had [she]_171-anne remained [a mere servant]_{5659-a mere servant} . [Hamlin]_388-hamlin had redeemed [her]_171-anne soul ; [he]_5660-he had made [her]_171-anne a thinking and feeling being — but what for ? [She]_171-anne dared not admit to [herself]_171-anne that it was merely in order that [she]_171-anne should despise [him]_5660-he . But [Anne]_171-anne pushed aside these thoughts . [She]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne had no right to indulge in them — that [she]_171-anne must give [her]_171-anne mind to other things , [her]_171-anne heart and [her]_171-anne energy . Without exactly knowing what [she]_171-anne could do , or even whether [she]_171-anne could do anything at all , [she]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne must work — work with all [her]_171-anne might ; for it seemed as if all the thoughts which [the people]_{871-the people} about [her]_171-anne refused to think , all the sympathy which [they]_{871-the people} refused to feel , all the work which [they]_{871-the people} refused to do , and all the sacrifices which [they]_{871-the people} refused to make , must all be taken upon [herself]_171-anne — as if [she]_171-anne alone must bear this terrible weight of rejected responsibilities . So [Anne]_171-anne worked . [[Her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Dick]_379-hamlin had said that [no one]_{3899-no one} could do any good in ignorance ; and [she]_171-anne felt [herself]_171-anne shamefully ignorant of all but useless things . [She]_171-anne got together a whole heap of books and pamphlets on every possible kind of grievance and evil in [the world]_{496-the world} ; [she]_171-anne made [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory tell [her]_171-anne all the dreadful things which [she]_171-anne knew , show [her]_171-anne all the dreadful things which [she]_171-anne had seen . Of such things [Marjory]_249-marjory and [[her]_249-marjory young man]_{5665-her young man} , [the East End curate]_{5485-the east end curate} , could tell [her]_171-anne but too many ; yet [Anne]_171-anne was not satisfied . [She]_171-anne sought the acquaintance of [[Marjory]_249-marjory ’s colleagues]_{5667-marjory ’s colleagues} in the work of helping [the poor]_{5668-the poor} , and of [[Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ’s fellow‐workers]_{5669-harry collett ’s fellow‐workers} — [older men]_{5670-older men} and [women]_3959-women , whose account of the evil of [the world]_{496-the world} , less exaggerated and poetical than [[Marjory]_249-marjory ’s and [Harry]_{376-harry collett} ’s]_{5673-marjory ’s and harry ’s} , was still more grimly tragic . [They]_{5669-harry collett ’s fellow‐workers} were hopeful nevertheless ; but [Anne]_171-anne , returning [home]_4170-home from [her]_171-anne attendance on lectures , [her]_171-anne ghastly rounds in [the slums,—home]_{5675-the slums,—home} to [the lovely house]_{5676-the lovely house} , with the Persian carpets , the 18th‐century hangings and furniture , the old majolica and Japanese ware , the flowers and the books of music,—returning [home]_4170-home to the discussions on art and literature in [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s studio]_{1127-hamlin ’s studio} and at [her]_171-anne own dinner‐table,—Anne felt mere despair . For , it must be remembered , [Anne]_171-anne had none of those consoling thoughts to fall back upon which religion , however conventional , affords . [[Her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} , [a Radical workman of the French school]_{5680-a radical workman of the french school} , had brought [her]_171-anne up with a few elementary ideas of right and wrong , and the faith that [all priests]_{5681-all priests} , like [all kings]_{5682-all kings} , were the curse of [the world]_{496-the world} . [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} , [the kind‐hearted old prima donna who had taken charge of [her]_171-anne in [her]_171-anne earliest girlhood]_{5684-the kind‐hearted old prima donna who had taken charge of her in her earliest girlhood} , had given [her]_171-anne examples of only the most frivolous Voltairianism ; from [the servants]_{5568-the servants} and [the Italians who surrounded [her]_171-anne at [the Perrys]_{1062-the perrys}]_{5686-the italians who surrounded her at the perrys} , [she]_171-anne had learned only a contempt for [the conscienceless mummeries of the lowest Catholicism]_{5688-the conscienceless mummeries of the lowest catholicism} ; from [Mrs Perry]_146-perry only a contempt , as great in [its]_5689-its way , for the heartless conventionalism of mere social Protestantism ; and from [Hamlin]_379-hamlin [himself]_379-hamlin , and [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s friends]_{4949-hamlin ’s friends} ( for at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz [he]_379-hamlin had stipulated that [Miss Brown]_171-anne was not to be bored with religion ) , [she]_171-anne had heard only of the religion of beauty . Of [[the men]_{4543-the men} and women who used to come to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} and to [Wotton]_94-wotton]_{5692-the men and women who used to come to hammersmith and to wotton} , some , like [Chough]_379-hamlin , professed Catholicism , and wrote mystical rhapsodies to [the Virgin Mary]_{5693-the virgin mary} ; others , like [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , called [the Virgin]_{5694-the virgin} [a prostitute]_{5695-a prostitute} , and [God]_195-god a highway murderer : [some]_5035-some went in for imitating the näiveté of medieval Christianity ; yet [others]_4163-others filled [their]_4163-others books with hymns to [the gods , clean and foul , of paganism]_{5698-the gods , clean and foul , of paganism} . There was a deal of vociferating on the subject ; a deal of abusive language both of the religious and the irreligious ; a deal of exhortation on the part of [men like [Hamlin]_379-hamlin]_{5699-men like hamlin} not to have the bad taste to muddle religion with poetry ; and on the whole , there was an atmosphere of absolute insincerity , in which , as in abstract politics ( for certain æsthetes were extreme retrogrades , and loathed civilisation ; while others would pour out by the hour revolutionary tirades of the most blood‐thirsty description ) , it appeared that religion was a mere personal hobby or poetical fiction : the usual conclusion being simply that [the world]_{496-the world} was too disgusting a place for [a well‐constituted soul]_{5701-a well‐constituted soul} ; that the century was empty , and heartless , and emasculate ; and that , as [the people in the ‘ Decameron ’]_{5702-the people in the ‘ decameron ’} fled from the plague , and told stories and sang songs in a pleasant villa all by [themselves]_{5702-the people in the ‘ decameron ’} , so also must [superior men]_{5703-superior men} and [women]_3959-women fly from the sordidness , the uninterestingness , the mediocrity , and incapacity for passion of reality , and entertain [one another]_{1971-one another} with tales of romance and wonder in a fairy land , where the sole divinity was beauty , and where alone , among the lovely and noble things left by the past , noble natures could develop uncramped , according to the ideal of [the Greeks]_{5706-the greeks} , of [medieval men]_{5707-medieval men} , or of that most elevated genius , the late Théophile Gautier . To meet the terrible realities which were now being revealed to [her]_5708-her , to answer [her]_5708-her own painful craving after usefulness , [Anne]_171-anne had therefore only a vain negative belief — the pessimism which is at the bottom of all æstheticism , the belief in the fatal supremacy of evil and ugliness . But in [Anne]_171-anne this purely negative creed speedily became positive ; pessimism produced not a desire to abandon the odious reality and take refuge in mere imaginary happiness , but a frightful moral tension , a constant battle of [her]_5708-her aspirations with [her]_5708-her belief , of [her]_5708-her conscience with [her]_5708-her reason , a strain of rebellion against the inevitable . So , to the weight of the knowledge of evil , to the weight of the consciousness of the deadness of soul which surrounded [her]_5708-her , was added in [Anne]_171-anne the terrible sense of the injustice and callousness of nature and of fate , of the groundlessness of those instincts of good which left [her]_5708-her no peace . But all this [no one]_{3899-no one} ever guessed . [She]_5708-her despised indulging [her]_5708-her own wretchedness . [She]_5708-her went on , behaving as usual , goading [herself]_5708-her to practical concerns silently , letting [no one]_{3899-no one} know of [her]_5708-her misery , letting no thought of it waste a moment of [her]_5708-her time . [Her]_5708-her longing was to break the hateful solidarity between [herself]_5708-her and the school of æsthetic indifferentism ; [her]_5708-her instinct was , since [she]_5708-her ( dependent as [she]_5708-her felt [herself]_5708-her on [a man]_{503-a man} ’s charity ) could not practically help [others]_4163-others , at least to understand and feel about all these subjects which [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [[his]_379-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} tabooed . And with this haunting desire , [she]_5708-her turned not merely to [Marjory Lee]_249-marjory and [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} , but instinctively also to [[her]_5708-her cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Dick]_379-hamlin . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have read the books [you]_2516-you lent [me]_0-i to take into [the country]_{945-the country} , ” [she]_5708-her said , giving [him]_2516-you back the various primers and pamphlets on economical subjects . “_[0-i] Thank [you]_2516-you so much for them , [Dick]_379-hamlin . ” [They]_5715-they were sitting alone in [the drawing‐room at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith}]_{2047-the drawing‐room at hammersmith} . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had called only once before , ceremoniously and briefly , and [he]_{223-richard brown} would not have come this time either , if [Anne]_171-anne had not written expressly to beg [him]_{223-richard brown} to fetch back the books . [He]_{223-richard brown} looked at [her]_5708-her in [his]_{223-richard brown} incredulous , contemptuous way . “_[379-hamlin] Really , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} said , “_[379-hamlin] [my]_0-i shabby old books are very much flattered by having been permitted to sojourn so long among such an assemblage of lovely things ; ” and [he]_{223-richard brown} looked round [the room]_{574-the room} at the pieces of embroidery and the Eastern carpets , the pictures and drawings , the quantities of Japanese porcelain and lacquer all round . “_[0-i] How much out of place [they]_2518-they do look , and how queer [they]_2518-they must have felt among [[their]_2518-they companions]_{2519-their companions} ! Let [me]_0-i see : two volumes on artistic furniture—‘Ballads of Old France’—‘Rossetti’—‘Contes de Gautier . ’ [I]_0-i see — ” “_[0-i] Those are [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s books , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , quickly ; “_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin must have taken them out of [the library]_{4639-the library} , or brought them up from [the studio]_{795-the studio} . [I]_0-i am not reading any of them . ” “_[0-i] [You]_0-i are reading nothing but sociology and political economy ; [I]_0-i understand , ” went on [Brown]_171-anne , with [his]_{223-richard brown} placid sneer , which seemed , in [this frightfully masculine man]_{5718-this frightfully masculine man} , to condemn in [Anne]_171-anne [her]_171-anne mind , [her]_171-anne person , [her]_171-anne manner , [her]_171-anne character , and even [her]_171-anne sex . “_[0-i] Ah , well , [I]_0-i can understand that ; it must be refreshing . Who is it — [Mr Pater]_{390-mr pater} , or some such great gun of [yours]_0-i — who says that the object of [the wise man]_{2522-the wise man} is to make [his]_{2522-the wise man} life consist in as many moments of thrilling impressions as possible ; that [the very wise people]_{2523-the very wise people} get them out of art and song , and the less wise out of vice or out of philanthropy ? [You]_0-i must know the passage better than [I.]_0-i Well , [I]_0-i suppose [you]_0-i have got as many impressions out of art and song as possible , and ( being far too delicate in taste to try vice ) [you]_0-i are seeing what can be got out of philanthropy . Is that it ? ” [Anne]_171-anne frowned . “_[0-i] Of course , ” [she]_171-anne said , “_[0-i] [you]_0-i think it very clever to snub [me]_0-i , [Dick]_379-hamlin , and very manly ; just to treat [me]_0-i as if [I]_0-i could not possibly have either heart or brains . Maybe ; but it is a very cheap sort of sarcasm , and to make which [a man]_{503-a man} like [you]_0-i is not at all required . ” [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} bit [his]_{223-richard brown} black beard , and looked at [Anne]_171-anne from beneath [his]_{223-richard brown} beetle brows ; [he]_{223-richard brown} threw [himself]_{223-richard brown} a little back on [his]_{223-richard brown} chair , and with [his]_{223-richard brown} head on one side , [he]_{223-richard brown} said , with affected indifference — “_[0-i] [You]_0-i do n’t mean to tell [me]_0-i that [you]_0-i have read those books except as [you]_0-i would read — what shall [I]_0-i say?—the ‘ History of Furniture , ’ or the ‘ Contes de Gautier , ’ [Anne]_171-anne ? ” “_[171-anne] Were [you]_0-i ever ignorant about important vital subjects , [Richard]_{223-richard brown} — ever conscious that it was [your]_0-i duty as [a rational creature]_{2525-a rational creature} to know something about [them]_2526-them , and then snubbed by [a man who knew all about [them]_2526-them , and to whom [you]_0-i had applied to help [you]_0-i]_{2527-a man who knew all about them , and to whom you had applied to help you} ? ” [Brown]_{223-richard brown} was silent for a moment . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i was [a poor lad]_{2528-a poor lad} , working in [a factory]_{2529-a factory} , and refusing [myself]_0-i food and coals in order to buy books and papers”—he said crushingly—“and_[0-i] [I]_0-i never had an opportunity of asking [any one]_{4101-any one} ’s assistance . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t see why there should be salvation only for [people who have gone through hardships]_{2531-people who have gone through hardships} , nor why only [you]_0-i and [those who have acted like [you]_0-i]_{2532-those who have acted like you} should be treated sincerely and seriously . Do [you]_0-i think that because [I]_0-i am [a woman who has been brought up among Persian rugs and Japanese pots]_{2533-a woman who has been brought up among persian rugs and japanese pots} and [Burne Jones]_{382-burne jones} ’s pictures,—because [I]_0-i have gone to dinner‐parties three times a‐week , and read [Pater]_{390-mr pater} and [Rossetti]_381-rossetti and Gautier,—that [I]_0-i may not therefore be as honestly anxious to know about the serious things of [the world]_{496-the world} as [you]_0-i were when [you]_0-i worked in [a factory]_{2529-a factory} , and went without dinner and without coals ? ” and [she]_0-i fixed [her]_0-i eyes on [[her]_0-i cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ’s ugly and powerful face , in which , for all its ugliness , one might have fancied [one]_620-one saw something not wholly unlike that magnificent sibyl‐like face which [pre‐Raphaelite artists]_{5721-pre‐raphaelite artists} had immortalised and caricatured . “_[0-i] Seriously , and in [your]_0-i heart , ” [she]_0-i went on , as [Brown]_{223-richard brown} made no reply , “_[0-i] are [you]_0-i unable to understand that perhaps it may require more real determination to try and learn such things when one is brought up in luxury in [an æsthetic house]_{2536-an æsthetic house} , than when one has to buy books at the price of food and fire ? ” [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} did not answer . [He]_{223-richard brown} was [a frank man]_{5722-a frank man} , and [he]_{223-richard brown} frankly faced [Anne]_171-anne ’s look , and in return looked long and searchingly at [her]_171-anne ; and as the habitual look of bantering contempt had given way to a serious scrutiny , so now [he]_{223-richard brown} gradually grew more gentle and earnest . “_[171-anne] Forgive [me]_0-i , [Anne]_171-anne , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} said , after a moment ; “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [I]_0-i may have been doing [you]_171-anne injustice , and that [I]_0-i may , to some degree , have been disgracing [myself]_0-i . But , [you]_171-anne see , [I]_0-i am [a plain self‐made man]_{2537-a plain self‐made man} , and it is difficult for [me]_0-i to understand how . . . ” [Brown]_171-anne rarely hesitated for the end of [his]_{223-richard brown} sentence , but this time [he]_{223-richard brown} did . “_[0-i] To understand how there can be any conscience or seriousness in [a woman who has been willing to owe everything]_{2538-a woman who has been willing to owe everything} to the generosity of an æsthete like [Mr Hamlin”—Anne]_{391-mr hamlin”—anne} finished [his]_{223-richard brown} sentence bitterly . [She]_0-i went on—“Well_[0-i] , [I]_0-i know [you]_2539-you could not believe that [an æsthete]_{1257-an æsthete} could be generous and noble and chivalrous ; and now [you]_2539-you can not understand how [a woman who has accepted [his]_{2541-a woman who has accepted his generosity} generosity]_{2541-a woman who has accepted his generosity} can be anything better than — than a piece artistic embroidery , or a Japanese cup , or a green tree , ” and [Anne]_171-anne pulled the long pliable leaves of a palm passionately through [her]_171-anne fingers . [Brown]_171-anne ’s suspiciousness had tried to return ; but it was routed by [Anne]_171-anne ’s firm look , by [Anne]_171-anne ’s frank words . “_[2544-you] It is terrible to think how prejudiced , how inaccessible to truth , one allows [one]_620-one ’s self to become , ” answered [Brown]_171-anne , “_[2544-you] even though , Heaven knows , [one]_620-one tries to be fair . What [you]_2544-you say is true . [I]_0-i could n’t understand [your]_2544-you not being [a mere frivolous girl]_{2545-a mere frivolous girl} , [Anne]_171-anne ; and [I]_0-i ca n’t well understand it yet . But what [you]_2544-you tell [me]_0-i [I]_0-i will believe . ” “_[2544-you] Thank [you]_2539-you , [Dick]_379-hamlin , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , stretching out [her]_171-anne hand . “_[379-hamlin] [I]_0-i do n’t think [we]_2546-we are made to like [each other]_{594-each other} much : [you]_2539-you are too prejudiced , and haughty , and contemptuous ; and [I]_0-i am too proud and too stiff‐necked . But [we]_2546-we are both honest , so [we]_2546-we might as well deal honestly and openly with [each other]_{594-each other} , and try and understand [each other]_{594-each other} ’s good points . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am not accustomed to deal with semi‐professional beauties , to do the Petrarch to æsthetic Madonna mias , ” said [Brown]_171-anne — that sneer of conscious masculinity and conscious self‐madeness coming over [him]_379-hamlin again ; “_[2544-you] [you]_2544-you must excuse [my]_0-i manner , [Anne]_171-anne . ” But [he]_379-hamlin met [Anne]_171-anne ’s glance , and [his]_379-hamlin tone changed once more . “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i will bring [you]_2544-you some more books when [I]_0-i return , ” [he]_379-hamlin said . “_[0-i] By the way , have [you]_2544-you ever read any psychology ? ” “_[2544-you] What is psychology ? Is it metaphysics ? [I]_0-i have read [Hegel]_2550-hegel — ” [Anne]_171-anne stopped short , and then boldly added — “_[2550-hegel] But it was only [Hegel]_392-hegel ’s æsthetics , [you]_0-i know . ” [Brown]_171-anne smiled . “_[0-i] [Hegel]_392-hegel ’s æsthetics are not — well — not Posthlethwaite ’s æsthetics , ” [he]_379-hamlin said ; “_[0-i] this is not much more difficult . It is [Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ’s sociology . [I]_0-i will bring it [you]_2544-you . [Good‐bye]_{393-good‐bye} . ” After that visit , [Anne]_171-anne began to see more of [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} . [He]_{1291-her cousin} came sometimes to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} , and [he]_{1291-her cousin} met [her]_171-anne frequently at [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} . [Anne]_171-anne did not feel that [she]_171-anne completely liked [him]_{1291-her cousin} . [He]_{1291-her cousin} was pure‐minded , certainly , and generous , [a man devoted to progress even in its humblest forms]_{5724-a man devoted to progress even in its humblest forms} ; [he]_{1291-her cousin} had a powerful intellect and a more powerful will . But , somehow , there was in [him]_{1291-her cousin} an indefinable coarseness of fibre , a want of appreciation , of sympathy with [other people]_{665-other people} ’s ideals , a tendency to despise all those around [him]_{1291-her cousin} , and to see meanness in all [those who were not in the same position]_{5726-those who were not in the same position} , or who had not the same views and aims as [himself]_{1291-her cousin} ; above all , an unconscious desire to domineer — a brutal , almost animal wish for supremacy , which [his]_{1291-her cousin} knowledge of [his]_{1291-her cousin} own purity and rectitude and self‐sacrificing power made [him]_{1291-her cousin} accept and cherish as if it were a kind of holy spirit dwelling within [himself]_{1291-her cousin} , and not merely the product of a brutal temperament , which a noble intellect and a generous heart had severed from all brutish interests , but which remained brutal none the less . [Anne]_171-anne ’s pride , [her]_171-anne consciousness of finer fibre than [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ’s , made [her]_171-anne shrink from seeking in [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} for assistance in [her]_171-anne arduous task of freeing [her]_171-anne spirit from the slough of æsthetic selfishness ; [his]_{1291-her cousin} suspiciousness of [her]_171-anne motives , [his]_{1291-her cousin} sarcasms , [his]_{1291-her cousin} blindness to [her]_171-anne purity of impulse , all this galled [her]_171-anne ; but [she]_171-anne submitted to be galled . [She]_171-anne wished [her]_171-anne soul at least to be free , though [her]_171-anne body might remain , as it were , in bondage , and [Richard]_{223-richard brown} stood at the door of that world of nobler endeavour which [she]_171-anne longed to enter ; moreover , [her]_171-anne stern spirit made [her]_171-anne take a sort of pleasure in the very bitterness which [she]_171-anne had to taste . If [Richard]_{223-richard brown} had been sympathising , if [he]_{223-richard brown} had met [her]_171-anne half‐way and tried to help [her]_171-anne on , [she]_171-anne would have felt that [she]_171-anne was bound to [him]_{223-richard brown} , that [she]_171-anne was battering [her]_171-anne liberty once more ; and vaguely [Anne]_171-anne knew that [she]_171-anne must never be bound to [any one save [Hamlin]_379-hamlin]_{5728-any one save hamlin} — that little as [he]_379-hamlin could understand [her]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne was obliged , for ever , to try and understand [him]_379-hamlin . And sometimes even , though the sense of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s baseness , of [his]_379-hamlin selfish æstheticism and [his]_379-hamlin untruthful morbidness , weighed more upon [her]_171-anne day by day , [Anne]_171-anne would elaborately go over all that [he]_379-hamlin had been to [her]_171-anne — nay , all that , to the best of [his]_379-hamlin power , [he]_379-hamlin still was : [she]_171-anne would sit for hours reading and re‐reading those treasured‐up letters whose arrival had made [her]_171-anne so strangely happy at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz ; ( how long , long ago it seemed , and how little [that schoolgirl]_{5729-that schoolgirl} seemed to share of [her]_171-anne identity ! ) and [Anne]_171-anne , reading over those letters , carefully collecting together all the stances of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s generosity and delicacy and gentleness which [she]_171-anne could remember — nay , mere looks and tones which had brought [home]_4170-home formerly [her]_171-anne love for [him]_379-hamlin — made up out of them a simulacrum of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , and persuaded [herself]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne loved it , and that it was [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s real reality , the reality which had become spoilt by the horrible moral atmosphere , distorted , warped , but a reality nevertheless . Nay , sometimes the sense of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s weakness would come home to [her]_171-anne , and with a pang make [her]_171-anne feel how much [she]_171-anne was bound to suffer , how much [she]_171-anne was bound to do for [him]_379-hamlin . [HAMLIN]_379-hamlin had forgotten all about the business of [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} , except that [he]_379-hamlin had stopped the printing of [his]_379-hamlin book , and set to work remodelling the “_{[393-good‐bye]} Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} , ” to the immense admiration of [Chough]_379-hamlin and [Dennistoun , who were quite reconciled to realism now that it was allied with horrid sin]_{5731-dennistoun , who were quite reconciled to realism now that it was allied with horrid sin} . But that [Anne]_171-anne was at all alienated from [him]_379-hamlin , never once entered [his]_379-hamlin mind . [He]_379-hamlin noticed , indeed , that [Anne]_171-anne had grown much more serious of late , that [she]_171-anne seemed less happy than some months before ; but for that [he]_379-hamlin had [his]_379-hamlin explanation . [He]_379-hamlin believed that [her]_171-anne character was suddenly maturing ( for [he]_379-hamlin never guessed that [Anne]_171-anne ’s nature was one of those which mature rapidly , and whose maturity means responsibility ) , and that there was brewing beneath that sombre exterior a storm of passion of which [he]_379-hamlin was the object . That such a storm would come had been [his]_379-hamlin persuasion from the very beginning of [his]_379-hamlin acquaintance with [Anne]_171-anne ; [he]_379-hamlin had guessed in [her]_171-anne some strange latent force , and to see it develop had been [his]_379-hamlin wish . That long courtship , that purely Platonic familiarity , giving scope to so much poetic devotion , poetic gratitude , was always to end , in [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s expectation , with a sudden burst of passion , which should envelop [him]_379-hamlin , give [his]_379-hamlin cold nature the exquisite sensation of being fired , carried off by a more powerful temperament than [his]_379-hamlin own . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had had many love‐affairs in [his]_379-hamlin day , more or less pure or base ; [he]_379-hamlin had , once or twice , been mastered by the stronger nature of [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , but that had been mere brute passion , and what [he]_379-hamlin desired was to rouse a passion terrifically overwhelming , but pure , intellectual , and with all the fearful violence of merely intellectual passions : a passion like that , which [he]_379-hamlin always admired more than any other in literature , of [Heathcliff]_{394-heathcliff} for [Catharine]_{395-catharine} in ‘ Wuthering Heights,’—a passion such as [some men]_{5733-some men} have felt for [a dead woman]_{5734-a dead woman} . This [he]_379-hamlin had always hoped from [Anne]_171-anne , and in the expectation of this [he]_379-hamlin had been confirmed by every new revelation of [her]_171-anne character . Sometimes , when [Anne]_171-anne sat listless in the midst of [[their]_5735-their guests]_{549-their guests} , [her]_171-anne mind for away , [her]_171-anne tragic face more sombre for the blackness that was in the world around [her]_171-anne and in [her]_171-anne own soul , [Hamlin]_379-hamlin would watch [her]_171-anne , and feel , with a pang of satisfaction , that [he]_379-hamlin had not been mistaken in [her]_171-anne . “_[2551-she] [She]_2551-she is not [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , [she]_2551-she is [a mere splendid statue]_{2553-a mere splendid statue} ! ” [Lewis]_353-lewis had once exclaimed angrily , as [he]_353-lewis felt how utterly all that kind of occult sensual fascination , which [his]_353-lewis pale mysterious face , [his]_353-lewis vermilion lips , [his]_353-lewis cat‐like green eyes , [his]_353-lewis low droning voice , [his]_353-lewis sultan‐like freedom of manner , [his]_353-lewis sense of omniscience and omnipotence , [his]_353-lewis own nature , strangely compounded of the beast and of [the dreamer]_{5737-the dreamer} , indubitably exercised over [many women]_{5738-many women} , how utterly it trickled off [Anne]_171-anne — “_[2551-she] [She]_2551-she is not [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , [Hamlin,—she]_{396-hamlin,—she} has an intellect and a will , but [she]_2551-she has no soul ; and one day [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} will discover it . ” “_{[396-hamlin,—she]} [She]_2551-she is not a woman in the sense in which [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} conceive [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , ” answered [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , contemptuously ; “_[2551-she] and [she]_2551-she is as incapable of what [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} and most of [us]_2556-us call passion , as is a statue . [She]_2551-she has not one fibre of what [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} could call womanhood in [her]_2551-she — not one shred of the beast which lies at the bottom of all [our]_2556-us natures has entered into [hers]_2551-she ; [she]_2551-she is [a woman of mere stone and ice and snow]_{2557-a woman of mere stone and ice and snow} for [men like [you]_{396-hamlin,—she}]_{2558-men like you} . But just for that reason has [she]_2551-she got a capacity for passion — for a passion which [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} can never understand — such as [no other woman]_{2559-no other woman} ever had . What are [all those precious women]_{2560-all those precious women} — [Cleopatras]_{397-cleopatras} and [Mary Stuarts]_323-mary — call [them]_{2560-all those precious women} whatever [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} like , whom [we]_2556-us think so poetical ? [Mere common harlots , decked out in poetical gewgaws]_{2561-mere common harlots , decked out in poetical gewgaws} , at bottom nothing better than a [Madame Bovary]_{398-madame bovary} , not so much as a [Manon Lescaut]_{399-manon lescaut} . Mere filthy clay shaped into something comely . What is it to be loved by one of [them]_{2560-all those precious women} ? [You]_{396-hamlin,—she} might as well be loved by [a barmaid]_{2562-a barmaid} . ” [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis ’s lip curled . “_{[2562-a barmaid]} Certainly [Miss Brown]_171-anne suits [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} in [your]_{396-hamlin,—she} present mood , [Walter]_145-hamlin ; [I]_0-i do n’t say not . But [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} will find out later what it is to be in love with [a woman who is stone and ice and snow]_{2563-a woman who is stone and ice and snow} for [men like [me]_0-i]_{2564-men like me} . [Madonna Laura]_190-laura and [Beatrice]_187-beatrice are all very fine ; but [[your]_{396-hamlin,—she} ideal lady]_{2565-your ideal lady} , [I]_0-i repeat it , is [no woman at all]_{2566-no woman at all} , but [a mere sexless creature]_{2567-a mere sexless creature} , something like [Victor Hugo]_{296-victor hugo} ’s handsome Enjolras in petticoats . Passion for humanity , for fame , for abstract excellence‐oh , as much of that as [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} like ; but passion for so humble a thing as [a living man]_{2568-a living man} ! Never ! ” “_[353-lewis] Please leave the subject alone , [Lewis]_353-lewis , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[353-lewis] [I]_0-i do n’t care to have slugs creeping , even only in imagination , over [my]_0-i lilies . Talk about [[your]_{396-hamlin,—she} women]_{2569-your women} , [[other men]_{1485-other men} ’s women]_{2571-other men ’s women} , as much as [you]_{396-hamlin,—she} choose , but spare [me]_0-i [your]_{396-hamlin,—she} remarks about [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ” [Chough]_379-hamlin had been listening . [The excitable little poet of womanhood]_{5739-the excitable little poet of womanhood} detested [Lewis]_353-lewis , whose arrogance grated upon [him]_353-lewis , and whose impurity of nature unconsciously offended the real innocence which underlay all [his]_353-lewis grandiloquently improper verses . And [Chough]_379-hamlin adored [Anne]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne was , [he]_379-hamlin often said , a quite new revelation of womanhood ; and [he]_379-hamlin believed that , as passion was the one noble thing in [the world]_{496-the world} , and as [Miss Brown]_171-anne was [the noblest woman that had ever lived]_{5741-the noblest woman that had ever lived} , that there must be a deal of passion in [Anne]_171-anne . “_[171-anne] There is passion of all sorts , ” said [Chough]_379-hamlin , pulling [his]_379-hamlin long black whiskers ; “_[171-anne] the passion of the pure animal , the passion of [the mere human creature]_{2572-the mere human creature} , and the passion of divine essences : the first is like [a lush tropical country]_{2573-a lush tropical country} ; the second is like [the manifold sea]_{2574-the manifold sea} ; the third is like [the high Alps , the highest strata of air]_{2575-the high alps , the highest strata of air} , the purest light . The passion of divine essences is more terrible than any other , exactly because of its external nature : it is tragic . [Miss Brown]_171-anne has that sort of passion — ” “_[2576-idiot] [Idiot]_2576-idiot , ” muttered [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; and yet [he]_379-hamlin felt pleased at [Chough]_379-hamlin ’s mystical corroboration of [his]_379-hamlin ideas . Meanwhile there was one subject upon which [Anne]_171-anne sympathised warmly with [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , and that was [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} [Sacha]_358-sacha . For all [her]_171-anne evident theatricalness , [Anne]_171-anne warmed towards [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . [She]_171-anne saw in [her]_171-anne something frank and fearless which appealed to [her]_171-anne , and a pathetic helpless desire , as of a child which has been naughty but wants to learn how to be good , to retrieve [her]_{360-madame elaguine} own wasted life , to save [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} children]_{746-her children} from what [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had undergone [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} ; above all , a wish to be in earnest without well knowing how to , a strain to be [a serious woman in the midst of the habits of a spoilt child and of a flirt]_{5744-a serious woman in the midst of the habits of a spoilt child and of a flirt} . For [a spoilt child , unaccustomed to self‐control , impatient of small sacrifices , avid of excitement and novelty , avid of constant attention and admiration]_{5745-a spoilt child , unaccustomed to self‐control , impatient of small sacrifices , avid of excitement and novelty , avid of constant attention and admiration} , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} certainly was ; and [a flirt]_{5746-a flirt} as certainly also . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} flirted with [every one]_{4712-every one} , with [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , with [as many of [[his]_379-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends}]_{5748-as many of his friends} — [Chough]_379-hamlin , [Lewis]_353-lewis , and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} — as [he]_379-hamlin took to [her]_{360-madame elaguine} ; with [Anne]_171-anne , with [the Leigh girls]_{4986-the leigh girls} , with [the solemn schoolmasters]_{5751-the solemn schoolmasters} and [schoolmistresses]_{5752-schoolmistresses} , whom [she]_{360-madame elaguine} interviewed for the benefit of [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} children]_{746-her children} ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} flirted — [you]_5754-you saw it by [her]_{360-madame elaguine} smile and [her]_{360-madame elaguine} little childish laugh of recognition — with [the very housemaid who opened the door]_{5755-the very housemaid who opened the door} ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} flirted with [every man]_{5756-every man} , [woman]_2081-woman , and [child]_5758-child , with every dog or cat that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} came across . “_[2576-idiot] What [a flirt that woman]_{2577-a flirt that woman} is , to be sure ! ” cried [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , as [he]_379-hamlin saw [every one of [[his]_379-hamlin and [Anne]_171-anne ’s friends]_{5760-his and anne ’s friends}]_{5759-every one of his and anne ’s friends} subjugated in an hour ’s visit by [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . And to be [a flirt]_{5746-a flirt} was no recommendation to [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; [he]_379-hamlin wanted to absorb all admiration , [he]_379-hamlin wanted to inspire love ; flirts were [his]_379-hamlin particular aversion . “_{[2577-a flirt that woman]} What harm does [her]_2578-her flirting do ? ” answered [Anne]_171-anne ; “_{[2577-a flirt that woman]} it merely makes [her]_2578-her and those about [her]_2578-her a little happier . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i thought [you]_0-i cared only for serious , for [intense people]_{2579-intense people} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne — [you]_0-i who are so serious and intense [yourself]_0-i . ” “_[0-i] Perhaps [I]_0-i am too serious”—and [poor Anne]_171-anne felt at the moment that [she]_0-i certainly was too serious to be very happy ; “_[0-i] but , however that may be , that is no reason why [[your]_0-i cousin]_{4341-your cousin} should not be [a flirt]_{5746-a flirt} . As long as [a person]_{1140-a person} can feel strongly and seriously on serious subjects , why quarrel with [him]_2583-him or [her]_2584-her for being childish about childish matters ? ” For experience had taught [Anne]_171-anne the bitter truth that [people]_577-people could be serious — heaven knows how serious!—like [the odious Lewis]_353-lewis and like [Hamlin]_379-hamlin [himself]_379-hamlin , and yet have no fibre of sympathy or indignation ; and [her]_171-anne experience of [flippant little Chough]_379-hamlin , with [[his]_379-hamlin tenderly cared for wife]_{5763-his tenderly cared for wife} — of [flirtatious Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory and [her]_249-marjory humanitarian labours — had made [her]_171-anne hope most from [the very people whose light nature [she]_171-anne , so earnest and tragic , could understand least]_{5764-the very people whose light nature she , so earnest and tragic , could understand least} . And to this category [she]_171-anne added [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[2585-your] [[Your]_2585-your cousin]_{4341-your cousin} has strong sides to [her]_{4341-your cousin} nature , [I]_0-i am quite persuaded , ” [she]_171-anne said . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin shrugged [his]_379-hamlin shoulders ; but nevertheless , though [he]_379-hamlin highly resented [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s all‐round flirtatiousness , [he]_379-hamlin was forced to admit to [himself]_379-hamlin that [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} had , when [you]_2585-your were in [her]_{4885-the little woman} presence , a sort of magnetic fascination . What moved [Anne]_171-anne was [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s vehement passion for [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} children]_{746-her children} , the long schemes which , to [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s ennui , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} would enthusiastically dilate upon for [their]_{746-her children} future ; and somehow , from words which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} used to drop , it would seem that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had been in danger of losing [those children]_{4199-those children} — that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was still exposed to having [them]_{4199-those children} taken from [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , or to being in some way separated from [them]_{4199-those children} . [Anne]_171-anne did not absolutely formulate to [herself]_171-anne a hope of helping [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; but [she]_171-anne felt vaguely that perhaps [she]_171-anne , with [her]_171-anne seriousness and determination , might help [the excitable and decidedly vague‐minded little woman]_{5768-the excitable and decidedly vague‐minded little woman} to persist in and carry out [her]_{5768-the excitable and decidedly vague‐minded little woman} ideas ; that here [she]_171-anne had at last a chance of being useful . The first thing , [Anne]_171-anne felt , was to bridge over the gulf of past animosity which still separated [Hamlin]_379-hamlin from [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} — to take away from [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha the demoralising sense of being [an only half‐forgiven intruder]_{5770-an only half‐forgiven intruder} . The great difficulty was [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} . [The old lady]_{1153-the old lady} could not abate one tittle of [her]_{1153-the old lady} hatred for [the Sacha of former days]_{5772-the sacha of former days} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i tell [you]_2587-you [she]_0-i is [a bad woman]_{2588-a bad woman} , and [you]_2587-you will find it out some day to [your]_2587-you cost , ” [she]_0-i would answer [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [The woman]_{4801-the woman} is contained in [the child]_{660-the child} : or rather [the woman]_{4801-the woman} is only [the child altered and trimmed up to pass muster]_{2592-the child altered and trimmed up to pass muster} — dressirt , as [[my]_0-i friend]_{2593-my friend} [Schopenhauer]_{400-schopenhauer} says . ” “_{[400-schopenhauer]} But , [Auntie Claudia]_{401-auntie claudia} , ” persisted [Anne]_171-anne , “_{[401-auntie claudia]} if [a person]_{1140-a person} can alter sufficiently to pass muster , why should [that person]_{4730-that person} not alter also in obedience to [her]_{4730-that person} awakened reason and conscience ? Why should [one]_620-one not be able to shed the bad qualities of one ’s childhood , for quite new and good ones ? ” “_[620-one] Because [one]_620-one can not , [Anne]_171-anne ; because the fox remains a fox , and the cat remains a cat , and the swine remains a swine . ” And [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} looked with cynical compassion at [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i might have remained [a mere soulless servant]_{2598-a mere soulless servant} , had [every one]_{4712-every one} gone on [your]_{401-auntie claudia} theory , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[4712-every one]} No , [I]_0-i can not agree with [you]_{401-auntie claudia} , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} . [I]_0-i think it is terrible to condemn [a woman]_{3960-a woman} because [she]_{3960-a woman} was [a good‐for‐nothing child]_{2601-a good‐for‐nothing child} ; [I]_0-i think it is terrible to shut [her]_{3960-a woman} out from sympathy which might be a comfort and an encouragement to [her]_{3960-a woman} if [she]_{3960-a woman} be still in need of any . ” “_[0-i] Ah , well , that is how [[you]_{401-auntie claudia} young people of [to‐day]_111-to‐day]_{2602-you young people of to‐day} always talk . [You]_{401-auntie claudia} would object to sending [criminals]_{2603-criminals} to [the docks]_{3906-the docks} , because it is shutting [them]_{2603-criminals} out of improving society . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t see that the cases are parallel . [I]_0-i merely ask that [a person]_{1140-a person} be not condemned where [she]_{1140-a person} could not be responsible . If [I]_0-i thought that [any one]_{4101-any one} were really and hopelessly vicious , a mere source of evil , [I]_0-i think [I]_0-i should do [my]_0-i best to crush [them]_{4101-any one} out , to trample upon [them]_{4101-any one} . ” “_[0-i] That is how [you]_{401-auntie claudia} are , [Anne]_171-anne , willing to be [a moral sick‐nurse]_{2607-a moral sick‐nurse} or [a moral executioner]_{2608-a moral executioner} . In a world where [every one has some horrid moral disease or is some horrid moral nuisance]_{2609-every one has some horrid moral disease or is some horrid moral nuisance} , [you]_{401-auntie claudia} will soon find that such a line as that leaves no time to live . However , as to [Sacha Polozoff]_358-sacha — [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , [I]_0-i suppose [I]_0-i ought to call [her]_{360-madame elaguine} — do whatever [you]_{401-auntie claudia} please . [You]_{401-auntie claudia} are [[your]_{401-auntie claudia} own mistress]_{2610-your own mistress} , and free to choose [[your]_{401-auntie claudia} own friends]_{2611-your own friends} . See as much of [the woman]_{4801-the woman} as [you]_{401-auntie claudia} please , as long as [you]_{401-auntie claudia} do n’t expect [me]_0-i to sympathise with [you]_{401-auntie claudia} in [your]_{401-auntie claudia} admiration , love , and awe of [her]_{4801-the woman} . ” “_{[401-auntie claudia]} [I]_0-i do n’t feel any admiration or love or awe for [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . But [I]_0-i think that [she]_{4801-the woman} is [a comparatively young woman]_{2613-a comparatively young woman} , very impulsive and rather injudicious , all alone here in [London]_4-london ; and [I]_0-i think [she]_{4801-the woman} ought not to be shut out from [the only house which [she]_{4801-the woman} has]_{2614-the only house which she has} , as [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} , a sort of right to enter . ” “_{[401-auntie claudia]} As [you]_{401-auntie claudia} choose , [Anne]_171-anne . Invite [her]_{4801-the woman} , give up [the house]_{509-the house} to [her]_{4801-the woman} ; do what [you]_{401-auntie claudia} please . But remember , when [you]_{401-auntie claudia} have burnt [your]_{401-auntie claudia} fingers , that [I]_0-i told [you]_{401-auntie claudia} [you]_{401-auntie claudia} were playing with fire . ” So [Anne]_171-anne had [her]_171-anne way . And [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} came often to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [Anne]_171-anne did [their]_5773-their best to prevent [her]_{360-madame elaguine} meeting [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ; [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was received mainly in [the studio]_{795-the studio} , where , little by little , and at first seemingly casually , [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s friends]_{4949-hamlin ’s friends} would drop in to meet [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} was [a curiously fascinating little woman]_{5776-a curiously fascinating little woman} . Education , in any regular sense , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} seemed never to have had ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was grotesquely ignorant about a great many things , and laughed at it [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am teaching [myself]_0-i arithmetic in order to teach [[my]_0-i boy]_{2373-my boy} a little before [he]_{2373-my boy} goes to [school]_1094-school , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} would say — or spelling , or grammar , or something similar . On the other hand , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had a lot of superficial accomplishments , like [most Russians]_{402-most russians} : [she]_{360-madame elaguine} spoke four or five languages with tolerable correctness and extraordinary fluency ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had , in some mysterious manner , acquired Greek . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} read little , and that little mainly novels and poetry ; but , with [her]_{360-madame elaguine} Russian rapidity to adapt [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} to a new position , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had scarcely realised that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had been accidentally drafted into æsthetical society , before [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had got æsthetic literature , æsthetic gossip , and æsthetic modes of feeling at [her]_{360-madame elaguine} finger‐ends . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} immediately understood the relative positions of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , of [Chough]_379-hamlin , of [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , of [Lewis]_353-lewis , and of [all the others]_{880-all the others} ; and was able to talk to each as [he]_5778-he best liked to be talked to . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} began with a passion for [Alfred de Musset]_{403-alfred de musset} , for [Gautier]_343-gautier , for [Catulle Mendès]_{404-catulle mendès} , and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} rapidly became an enthusiast for [Swinburne]_{383-swinburne} , for [Rossetti]_381-rossetti , for [Chough]_379-hamlin , and , above all , “_[0-i] for that genius , [Monsieur mon cousin]_{2619-monsieur mon cousin} . ” [She]_{360-madame elaguine} let [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} be talked to about æsthetic dresses , gravely listening ( with only a little side‐look of amusement at [Hamlin]_379-hamlin or [Anne]_171-anne ) to [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ’s strictures on modern costumes , on stays , and heels , and tight waists and full skirts ; and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} immediately set to work untrimming [her]_{360-madame elaguine} frocks and making them up into wondrous garments , not at all like what [any æsthetic woman]_{5779-any æsthetic woman} had ever worn in [her]_0-i life , but queer , fantastic , delightful , neither Greek nor medieval , but individual and quaint and fascinating . “_[0-i] Dressmaking , as long as only pins are required , is [my]_0-i one talent , [my]_0-i one accomplishment , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} would say , when [any one]_{4101-any one} admired the capricious garments , in which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} looked sometimes like [a schoolgirl]_{5781-a schoolgirl} , and sometimes like a page in [woman]_2081-woman ’s clothes , and sometimes almost like [a little nun]_{5783-a little nun} . But this was not the case . Without ever having learned , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} sang with wonderful charm : a small , childish , high voice , which trilled out Russian and Spanish and French folk‐songs , and which had a strange , hot , passionate power of singing those German songs which poor [Anne]_171-anne , for all [her]_{360-madame elaguine} fine voice ( which [Chough]_379-hamlin used distressingly to compare with that of [various equivocal singers of former days]_{5784-various equivocal singers of former days} ) and [her]_{360-madame elaguine} conscientious learning , could never succeed in rendering . But the fact was that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s personality was surrounded by a vague halo and shimmer of talents : [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had never learned to do anything , yet [she]_{360-madame elaguine} could somehow do everything ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} could write fearfully misspelt but fascinating letters and bits of verse and prose ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} could mimic and act . “_[0-i] [She]_0-i is [a first‐rate actress]_{2620-a first‐rate actress} , ” was one of the first things which [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , who seemed at once singularly attracted and puzzled by [her]_0-i , found to say about [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[0-i] [You]_2621-you think that because [she]_0-i sometimes looks a little like [Sarah Bernhardt]_{384-sarah bernhardt} , ” answered [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , who never cared much to hear [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} praised , since everything which was praised in [her]_0-i seemed to point to a deficiency in [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [she]_0-i is [an actress]_{2622-an actress} because [I]_0-i see it , ” answered [Lewis]_353-lewis , in [his]_353-lewis positive way . “_[0-i] For [my]_0-i part , [I]_0-i do n’t think any of [you]_2621-you half appreciate all that there is in [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . ” “_{[2623-a nice little kittenish , intelligent flirt]} [A nice little kittenish , intelligent flirt]_{2623-a nice little kittenish , intelligent flirt} ; just the same as [a hundred Russian women one has known]_{2624-a hundred russian women one has known} , ” said [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . [Lewis]_353-lewis shook [his]_353-lewis head . “_{[2624-a hundred russian women one has known]} [That woman]_{1707-that woman} is not [a mere ordinary flirt]_{2626-a mere ordinary flirt} . [She]_{1707-that woman} has an almost unique temperament : [she]_{1707-that woman} is [a first‐rate medium]_{2627-a first‐rate medium} ; [I]_0-i feel it . ” “_{[1707-that woman]} [You]_0-i have felt so many [people]_577-people to be [first‐rate mediums]_{2629-first‐rate mediums} , [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , scornfully . “_{[364-mr lewis]} Do [you]_0-i remember , [you]_0-i thought once that [I]_0-i was [one]_620-one . ” “_[0-i] So [I]_0-i did . But this time [I]_0-i ’m not mistaken ; ” and [he]_353-lewis gave [Anne]_171-anne one of those looks of fierce aversion which , loathing [him]_353-lewis as [she]_171-anne did , [she]_171-anne rather liked from [the little painter]_{5786-the little painter} . However , [Lewis]_353-lewis proved right this time . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had scarcely ever heard about spiritualism , but [she]_{360-madame elaguine} threw [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} into it with all [her]_{360-madame elaguine} Russian ardour , and in a very short time , under [Lewis]_353-lewis ’s guidance , became [a great adept]_{5787-a great adept} . [Lewis]_353-lewis declared that [he]_353-lewis had never met so gifted a medium in [his]_353-lewis life ; and , indeed , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} showed a perfectly marvellous power of going off into trances , reading thoughts , and otherwise communicating with spirit‐land . [A young doctor]_{5788-a young doctor} , [one of [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory ’s hygienic demigods , whom [she]_{5788-a young doctor} brought to call on [Anne]_171-anne]_{5789-one of marjory leigh ’s hygienic demigods , whom she brought to call on anne} , once met [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} . [Anne]_171-anne noticed the way in which [he]_{5788-a young doctor} watched [her]_{360-madame elaguine} face and manner ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} seemed somehow to interest [him]_{5788-a young doctor} as a problem . “_[0-i] Why were [you]_2631-you staring so at [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} ? ” asked [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory when [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} had left . “_[2631-you] Staring at [her]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} ? ” answered [the Professor]_{5791-the professor} , vaguely . “_[2631-you] [She]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} is [a very pretty woman]_{2633-a very pretty woman} , and very charming , ” said [Anne]_171-anne ; “_{[2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin]} [I]_0-i think that is sufficient explanation . ” “_[0-i] Well , ” said [the young doctor]_{5792-the young doctor} , [a rough , brusque creature]_{5793-a rough , brusque creature} , “_[0-i] that was n’t exactly the reason . [I]_0-i was thinking how very — well , to put it plainly — how very hysterical a subject that [lady]_2634-lady looks . ” “_[0-i] What do [you]_0-i mean by hysterical ? ” said [Anne]_171-anne , quickly . “_[0-i] [She]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} is very nervous , but [she]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} does n’t seem to [me]_0-i to be at all subject to any kind of fits . ” “_{[2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin]} That ’s not what [we]_2635-we mean by hysteria , ” exclaimed [the doctor]_{5794-the doctor} . “_{[2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin]} Hysteria is n’t a fit of hysterics ; it is a condition of morbid nervous excitability , usually accompanied by a certain loss of will‐power . [Hysterical subjects]_{2636-hysterical subjects} are [a kind of milder mad men]_{2637-a kind of milder mad men} and [women]_3959-women ; [[their]_{2636-hysterical subjects} characters]_{2639-their characters} undergo curious modifications ; [they]_{2636-hysterical subjects} have n’t the same responsibilities as [others]_4163-others . [I]_0-i wonder whether [that lady]_{2641-that lady} is not [a spiritualist,—she looks like it]_{2642-a spiritualist,—she looks like it} . ” “_{[2641-that lady]} [She]_{2641-that lady} has let [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} , who has gone in a good deal for that sort of thing , mesmerise [her]_{2641-that lady} once or twice , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[364-mr lewis]} [I]_0-i do n’t believe in that rubbish [myself]_0-i . ” “_[0-i] Nor do [I.]_0-i But there is this much of truth in it , that some sorts of temperaments are naturally inclined to it , and that it reacts upon [them]_{2636-hysterical subjects} . And [I]_0-i should think it would be the case with [that lady]_{2641-that lady} . ” “_{[2641-that lady]} But surely , ” hesitated [Anne]_171-anne , “_{[2641-that lady]} [people who are in good health — who have never had any kind of nervous illness or shock]_{2644-people who are in good health — who have never had any kind of nervous illness or shock} — don’t get into that state . ” “_{[2644-people who are in good health — who have never had any kind of nervous illness or shock]} Oh yes , [they]_{2644-people who are in good health — who have never had any kind of nervous illness or shock} do . It is often hereditary ; one or two , or even sometimes [only one , depraved ancestor]_{2645-only one , depraved ancestor} will do it for [you]_2646-you . ” The recollection of all [she]_171-anne had heard of [[Sacha]_358-sacha ’s horrible profligate old Russian father]_{5795-sacha ’s horrible profligate old russian father} , of [[her]_358-sacha violent and weak and constantly ailing mother]_{5796-her violent and weak and constantly ailing mother} , flashed across [Anne]_171-anne . And then came also the remembrance of those portraits at [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} — of [those generations of weak and depraved planters , who had been [the grandfathers and granduncles of [Sacha]_358-sacha as well as of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin]_{5798-the grandfathers and granduncles of sacha as well as of hamlin}]_{5797-those generations of weak and depraved planters , who had been the grandfathers and granduncles of sacha as well as of hamlin} . And any remaining ill‐will which [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s stories had left was swept away . [Anne]_171-anne did not like [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , in the same way that [she]_171-anne liked [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} or even [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ; but [she]_171-anne felt a sudden strong compassion for [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . Perhaps , [she]_171-anne thought , there is more goodness in [the world]_{496-the world} than [I]_{2645-only one , depraved ancestor} guessed . And it seemed to [her]_171-anne that [this giddy little woman , with [her]_{5800-this giddy little woman , with her passionate desire for the welfare of her children} passionate desire for the welfare of [[her]_{5800-this giddy little woman , with her passionate desire for the welfare of her children} children]_{746-her children}]_{5800-this giddy little woman , with her passionate desire for the welfare of her children} , [this woman who had struggled through the disadvantages of hereditary weakness and corrupt training]_{5802-this woman who had struggled through the disadvantages of hereditary weakness and corrupt training} , was a sort of [a hero]_{5803-a hero} . AUTUMN turned to winter , and at last [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s long‐expected , much‐talked‐of book of new poems made its appearance . In [her]_171-anne gradual estrangement from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , in the gradual replacing of the ideal creature whom [she]_171-anne had so fervently loved by a reality by which [she]_171-anne was beginning to be repelled , [Anne]_171-anne had hung some of [her]_171-anne last hopes to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s poetry . [She]_171-anne would often say to [herself]_171-anne that , after all , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin made no pretence to being anything more than an artistic nature ; that [he]_145-hamlin was [a great artist]_{5804-a great artist} , born to give [the world]_{496-the world} a certain amount of pleasure , and that [she]_171-anne had no right to ask of [him]_145-hamlin to be anything else . What could [she]_171-anne , willing as [she]_171-anne was to sympathise and to work,—what could [a man like [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown}]_{5806-a man like richard brown} , with all [his]_145-hamlin self‐sacrificing energy and ability , do for mankind that might compare with what had been done by [Leonardo]_405-leonardo , by [Mozart]_331-mozart , by [Keats]_239-keats — [men as solely artistic]_{5807-men as solely artistic} as [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was [a great poet]_{1720-a great poet} , and would become [a greater one]_{5809-a greater one} — of that [Anne]_171-anne felt persuaded , for [his]_145-hamlin work was steadily improving , and there were things in this book which [she]_171-anne recognised as having the highest merit . So [she]_171-anne clung to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s poetry as to an anchor for [his]_145-hamlin nobility and for [her]_171-anne affection . At length the volume was published . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin arrived at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} one morning and placed a copy of it by the side of [Anne]_171-anne ’s plate at breakfast . “_{[2645-only one , depraved ancestor]} It is the first copy , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , “_{[2645-only one , depraved ancestor]} and as such , belongs to [you]_2647-you . ” “_{[2645-only one , depraved ancestor]} Thank [you]_2648-you , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , flushing with pleasure ; for , opening the book , [she]_171-anne found on the fly‐leaf a little poem , imitated from the love‐songs of [the Tuscan peasants]_{5810-the tuscan peasants} , in which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin dedicated the volume to [her]_171-anne ; it was beautiful and simple and almost solemn — the very flower of that distant and poetic love which [he]_145-hamlin professed towards [her]_171-anne . “_[2648-you] [You]_2648-you have put in the ‘ Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} ’ after all ! Oh , thank [you]_2648-you so much , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ! [You]_2648-you know [I]_0-i always thought it the best thing [you]_2648-you have ever done , ” [she]_0-i exclaimed . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not answer ; perhaps because [he]_145-hamlin was aware that this “_[2648-you] Ballad of [the Fens]_{349-the fens} , ” rewritten under the influence of [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , was not the same as the one which [he]_145-hamlin had torn up three months before . [Anne]_171-anne soon discovered it : reading through the still uncut sheets , [she]_171-anne found that instead of the story of married love , which had called down the wrath of [the whole school]_{1498-the whole school} , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had set in [his]_145-hamlin beautiful descriptions a ghastly tale which [she]_171-anne scarcely required more than to glance at . So this was all that had come of [her]_171-anne having mentioned [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} to [him]_145-hamlin ! “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [I]_0-i have made the story more tragic and more in harmony with the surrounding nature . [I]_0-i always felt that [I]_0-i needed some more powerful and terrible situation . Like this , [I]_0-i think the effect is sufficiently worked out , do n’t [you]_2649-you think ? ” “_[2649-you] Yes , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , icily . There was the description of the sunset on [the fens]_{5812-the fens} , of [the broad slow river flowing between [low green banks]_{5814-low green banks}]_{5813-the broad slow river flowing between low green banks} , its clotted masses reflecting the red sunset embers ; the description of the whole scene as [they]_5815-they had witnessed it ; and then a description of [the people of [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley}]_{2510-the people of cold fremley} , of [their]_{2510-the people of cold fremley} lives and sins , in which [she]_171-anne could almost recognise [her]_171-anne own words in which [she]_171-anne had vainly pleaded for [them]_{2510-the people of cold fremley} that memorable afternoon in [[his]_145-hamlin studio]_{1124-his studio} . A cold terror prevented [Anne]_171-anne from turning at once to the sonnets . But after all , had [he]_145-hamlin not , as it were , promised to abide by [her]_171-anne choice ? had [he]_145-hamlin not submitted , however reluctantly , to the condemnation of those twelve sonnets ? [Anne]_171-anne felt ashamed of [her]_171-anne own suspicions and fears ; [she]_171-anne boldly turned to the end of the book , peeped between the leaves — “_[2649-you] Desire — XII . Sonnets . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not know what was the feeling which filled [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne had never felt it before . It was too cold to be indignation , too self‐possessed to be horror : [she]_171-anne seemed surrounded by an icy atmosphere , through which [she]_171-anne saw [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as through a mist . [He]_145-hamlin had broken [his]_145-hamlin word , and for what ? To attribute to [himself]_145-hamlin vicious thoughts and feelings which [he]_145-hamlin had never had . [Anne]_171-anne said not a word ; [the man who was capable of acting thus]_{5818-the man who was capable of acting thus} could not understand if [he]_145-hamlin were chidden for it . [Breakfast]_{406-breakfast} passed gloomily , talking little , or of indifferent things . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was evidently ruffled by this reception of [his]_145-hamlin book . “_[2649-you] Are [you]_2650-you going to sit to [me]_0-i this morning , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ” [he]_145-hamlin asked with some irritation , as [he]_145-hamlin rose from table . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will , if [you]_2650-you wish [me]_0-i to . ” [Anne]_171-anne ’s voice smote [him]_145-hamlin as if [he]_145-hamlin had opened the window to a snowstorm . “_[2650-you] Have [you]_2650-you anything else to do ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i always have plenty to do , [you]_2650-you know . If [you]_2650-you do n’t want [me]_0-i , [I]_0-i shall go out with [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory . ” “_{[249-marjory]} So much the better . [I]_0-i do n’t feel as if [I]_0-i could work successfully this morning , and [I]_0-i should be sorry to detain [you]_2650-you for nothing at all . [I]_0-i will go and ask [[my]_0-i cousin]_{4336-my cousin} whether [she]_{4336-my cousin} would care to see [[Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} ’s studio]_{2652-lewis ’s studio} . This weather is very depressing . ” “_{[4336-my cousin]} Very , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne . [Anne]_171-anne went out with [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , who was on a round of visiting [poor people at [Lainbeth]_112-lainbeth]_{5819-poor people at lainbeth} . [They]_5820-they were joined by [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} . [He]_{364-mr lewis} stood in great awe of [[his]_{364-mr lewis} future bride]_{5821-his future bride} ’s superior wisdom and dogmatic manner ; but it was touching to see how completely [these two creatures]_{5822-these two creatures} — [the shy and mystical curate]_{5823-the shy and mystical curate} , and [the masterful and rationalistic young woman]_{5824-the masterful and rationalistic young woman} , who was wo nt to tell [him]_{364-mr lewis} that some day [he]_{364-mr lewis} should be persuaded that only secular work was really useful , and [the Church]_{868-the church} ought to be disestablished — understood [each other]_{594-each other} , and sympathised in [their]_{5822-these two creatures} best endeavours . “_{[4336-my cousin]} [Hamlin]_145-hamlin has brought out a new book , ” said [Collett]_{376-harry collett} to [Anne]_171-anne . “_[145-hamlin] How proud [you]_2653-you must be , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ! [he]_145-hamlin has been quite [another man]_{4053-another man} , twice as cheerful and devoted to [his]_145-hamlin art , since [he]_145-hamlin has known [you]_2653-you . For [a poet like [him]_145-hamlin]_{2655-a poet like him} , so sensitive and easily depressed , it must be a great thing to have [a noble woman]_{2656-a noble woman} to encourage [him]_145-hamlin . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . [She]_171-anne felt alone — alone as in [a desert]_{5827-a desert} , without an ear to hear [her]_171-anne , or a hand to touch [hers]_171-anne . Often did that sensation recur to [her]_171-anne now ; a sensation as of dragging wearily and alone along [an ice‐bound road]_{5828-an ice‐bound road} , under a grey wintry sky , weary and solitary , but with the knowledge that the more solitary and weary [she]_171-anne felt , the more was [she]_171-anne bound to plod on . Things that happened seemed spectral . Here in [London]_4-london [she]_171-anne saw less of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin than in [the country]_{945-the country} ; [he]_145-hamlin was going about with [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} , [he]_145-hamlin was at [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ’s . [She]_171-anne did not know or care where . [People]_577-people talked a great deal about the new book ; and only [Anne]_171-anne was silent . “_[2657-you] [You]_2657-you do n’t like [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s new book , ” said [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} to [her]_171-anne one evening , fixing [his]_{223-richard brown} eyes upon [her]_171-anne in [his]_{223-richard brown} ruthless way . [He]_{223-richard brown} came often now ; [he]_{223-richard brown} had apparently got to believe in [her]_171-anne , and [he]_{223-richard brown} even held out a possibility to [her]_171-anne , if [she]_171-anne continued to work steadily , reading and attending lectures , that [she]_171-anne might by the summer‐time be able to offer [herself]_171-anne to teach the elements of political economy at [the Working Women ’s Club]_{5833-the working women ’s club} . “_[2657-you] [You]_2657-you do n’t like [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s new book . ” It was not a question , but an assertion , and [Anne]_171-anne felt it as a taunt . “_[2657-you] [I]_0-i like some things in it extremely , ” [she]_0-i answered boldly ; “_[0-i] but [I]_0-i dislike and disapprove of some others . ” [Brown]_171-anne made a characteristic upward movement with one of [his]_{223-richard brown} big black eyebrows . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i thought that [[you]_2657-you æsthetic folk]_{2658-you æsthetic folk} never disapproved of anything — that it was against the canons of art to disapprove . ” “_[2657-you] [I]_0-i am not [an æsthete]_{1257-an æsthete} , [Richard]_{223-richard brown} . If [I]_0-i were , [I]_0-i should not be trying to learn the things in which [you]_{223-richard brown} take interest . ” “_[145-hamlin] True . And does [Hamlin]_145-hamlin know that [you]_2657-you dislike and disapprove of some of [his]_145-hamlin poems ? ” For a moment [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . [Brown]_171-anne ’s question was like an insolent attempt to see into [her]_171-anne heart . Yet what right had [she]_171-anne to hide anything ? “_[145-hamlin] [He]_145-hamlin knows exactly what [I]_0-i think about all [his]_145-hamlin poems ; but [he]_145-hamlin does not , naturally , agree with [me]_0-i in all [my]_0-i views . ” [She]_171-anne was determined to keep [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} at a distance . [He]_145-hamlin had hated [her]_171-anne ever becoming connected with æsthetic society , and [he]_145-hamlin tried to force [her]_171-anne to admit that [she]_171-anne regretted it . But [Brown]_171-anne had an inveterate hatred which [he]_145-hamlin could not put aside . “_[145-hamlin] Have [you]_2660-you seen the review in the ‘ Saturday Gazette ’ ? ” [he]_145-hamlin asked . The review was one of the few bad ones which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s book had had , among a chorus of good ones . But it was written by [a rabid enemy of pre‐Raphaelite poetry]_{5835-a rabid enemy of pre‐raphaelite poetry} ; and who had taken the occasion of this book to show up what [he]_145-hamlin considered the pestilent moral condition of [the whole school]_{1498-the whole school} . “_[2660-you] Yes ; [I]_0-i have . It is a very unjust and violent attack , and quite indiscriminating . ” “_[2661-it] So [I]_0-i thought . Still , what [it]_2661-it quoted from the sonnets called Desire seemed , so far , to bear out its statements . What do [you]_2660-you think ? ” “_[2660-you] [I]_0-i think , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne slowly , and choking [her]_0-i pride and emotion , “_[0-i] that all [he]_2662-he says about those sonnets is quite correct . [I]_0-i think it is most regrettable that they should have been published . But [I]_0-i think that in writing them [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin was merely following the vicious traditions of [[his]_2662-he school]_{5209-his school} ; and [I]_0-i know that [he]_2662-he is , in reality , [a perfectly pure‐minded man]_{2664-a perfectly pure‐minded man} . And , ” [she]_0-i added , as if to put an end to the conversation , “_[2662-he] [he]_2662-he is [the man to whom [I]_0-i owe more gratitude than [any woman]_{1339-any woman} ever owed to [any man]_{1338-any man}]_{2665-the man to whom i owe more gratitude than any woman ever owed to any man} . ” [Brown]_171-anne did not press the conversation . [He]_2662-he understood . [He]_2662-he had of late been getting to comprehend [Anne]_171-anne ’s character ; [he]_2662-he recognised [her]_171-anne serious unselfishness , [her]_171-anne indomitable desire for good ; [he]_2662-he saw in [her]_171-anne a strange straining dissatisfaction — a something which was as the beating of a bird ’s wings against its cage . And now [he]_2662-he understood whence it came . “_[2668-she] [She]_2668-she has made [her]_2668-she choice and must abide by it , ” [he]_2662-he said sternly to [himself]_2662-he , remembering that scene when [he]_2662-he had tried vainly to dissuade [her]_171-anne from accepting [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s offer , and [she]_171-anne had answered , “_[2668-she] [I]_0-i love [him]_2669-him ! ” “_[2669-him] [She]_2668-she has sold [her]_2668-she soul into bondage , and must accept the isolation and silence and uselessness of [a slave]_{2670-a slave} . ” But then , as [he]_2662-he said good night and looked at that noble face , whose tragic intensity of rectitude was now revealed to [him]_2662-he , [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} could not help feeling a pang . “_{[4378-poor child]} [Poor child]_{4378-poor child} ! ” [he]_2662-he said to [himself]_2662-he ; and wished [he]_2662-he had proved less of [a prophet]_{5837-a prophet} than [he]_2662-he believed [himself]_2662-he to have done . [He]_2662-he began , in consequence , to feel a little ashamed of [himself]_2662-he , and came oftener to see [Anne]_171-anne . [He]_2662-he was [a brilliant man]_{5838-a brilliant man} when [you]_5839-you got [him]_2662-he on [his]_2662-he own subjects , warm‐hearted , self‐sacrificing , ambitious , eloquent ; and [he]_2662-he had always a number of practical schemes at heart . Originally a hand at [a foundry]_{5840-a foundry} , [he]_2662-he had for some time , like [[Anne]_171-anne ’s father]_{5841-anne ’s father} , been smitten with communistic theories ; but instead of being tempted into becoming [a socialistic demagogue]_{5842-a socialistic demagogue} , [he]_2662-he had , when [he]_2662-he was about twenty‐five , given up [the little workman]_{5843-the little workman} ’s newspaper , of which [he]_2662-he was [editor and chief author]_{5844-editor and chief author} , and deliberately set to work studying economical and social questions in the intervals of [his]_2662-he work , carefully suspending [his]_2662-he judgment during the while . To [a man as impetuous and ambitious as [Brown]_171-anne , to whom the easy and tempting path of [party leader]_{5846-party leader} lay open]_{5845-a man as impetuous and ambitious as brown , to whom the easy and tempting path of party leader lay open} , such a course must have meant a terrible and long‐sustained effort of self‐control . But [his]_2662-he indomitable conscience and will had carried [him]_2662-he through it ; and now [he]_2662-he was reaping the unexpected reward of [his]_2662-he forbearance . While slowly working [his]_2662-he way in business and studying the subjects which were dearest to [him]_2662-he , [he]_2662-he had managed also to cultivate a mechanical genius , which seemed in some way hereditary in [the family of [[Anne]_171-anne ’s father]_{5841-anne ’s father} , who , in happier circumstances , might perhaps have been [a brilliant inventor]_{5849-a brilliant inventor} instead of [a starving expatriated workman]_{5850-a starving expatriated workman}]_{5847-the family of anne ’s father , who , in happier circumstances , might perhaps have been a brilliant inventor instead of a starving expatriated workman} . [He]_2662-he had made valuable improvements in [the foundry of which [he]_2662-he had become [the foreman]_{5852-the foreman}]_{5851-the foundry of which he had become the foreman} , and had now , for the last two years , been [the chief partner and [virtual director of the business]_{5854-virtual director of the business}]_{5853-the chief partner and virtual director of the business} , with a fair livelihood in the present , and a large fortune and great influence in the immediate future . But money and influence were nothing to [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ; or rather , influence to [him]_2662-he meant merely the triumph of [his]_2662-he own philanthropical schemes . Selfish [he]_2662-he undoubtedly was , but [his]_2662-he selfishness , [his]_2662-he vanity , [his]_2662-he pride , [his]_2662-he ambition , were drafted off into the service of [others]_4163-others . [Anne]_171-anne listened with enthusiasm , but not unmixed with sadness , to [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ’s projects for educating [the lower classes]_{4974-the lower classes} , for bringing home to [the upper classes]_{5858-the upper classes} [their]_{5858-the upper classes} own responsibilities ; [they]_{5858-the upper classes} had the charm of dreams , but of the dreams of [a man who seemed able to make what [he]_2662-he desired into reality]_{5859-a man who seemed able to make what he desired into reality} . Even in [this æsthetic society , which had looked upon [him]_2672-him with suspicion and loathing]_{5860-this æsthetic society , which had looked upon him with suspicion and loathing} , [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} got a certain importance . [He]_{223-richard brown} would spend hours with [old [Saunders]_{290-andrew saunders} [the painter]_{5449-the painter}]_{5861-old saunders the painter} , and [[his]_{290-andrew saunders} daughter]_{5208-his daughter} , [the enthusiastic Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , discussing the way of introducing more beautiful patterns into trade , and of getting up schools of design and loan exhibitions for [the poorer classes]_{5864-the poorer classes} . “_{[4378-poor child]} [He]_2672-him is [a man of the middle ages]_{2673-a man of the middle ages} ! ” [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} would enthusiastically exclaim ; “_{[2673-a man of the middle ages]} if only [we]_2674-we had a few more like [him]_2672-him , [we]_2674-we should soon build [cathedrals]_{2675-cathedrals} and [town‐halls]_{2676-town‐halls} like those of the fourteenth century . ” “_[2672-him] [He]_2672-him is [a canny Radical]_{2677-a canny radical} , ” answered [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} father]_{4143-her father} , “_{[2677-a canny radical]} but [a gude sort of man]_{2678-a gude sort of man} . For [my]_0-i part , [I]_0-i do n’t much believe in educating [the lower classes]_{4974-the lower classes} up to art , but there ’s no harm in trying , and , at least , [we]_2674-we shall get better‐made chairs and tables for [our]_2674-we money . ” [Chough]_379-hamlin was equally enthusiastic . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was anxious to get up some concerts at [a kind of [workman]_5867-workman ’s union at which [he]_{223-richard brown} presided]_{5866-a kind of workman ’s union at which he presided} ; and [Chough]_379-hamlin — yes , [the great Chough [himself]_379-hamlin , who hinted mysteriously that [[his]_379-hamlin father]_{2207-his father} ( who was [an apothecary at [Limerick]_113-limerick]_{5870-an apothecary at limerick} ) was [a duke]_{1651-a duke} , but that [he]_379-hamlin would rather die than succeed to the title]_{5868-the great chough himself , who hinted mysteriously that his father ( who was an apothecary at limerick ) was a duke , but that he would rather die than succeed to the title} — was prevailed upon to take the musical direction upon [himself]_379-hamlin . While these schemes were going on , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} met [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} . There was something in [this big , burly , rather brutal man]_{5872-this big , burly , rather brutal man} , which immediately fascinated [the nervous little Russian woman]_{5873-the nervous little russian woman} : [she]_{360-madame elaguine} sat at [Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s feet , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} listened with rapture to [his]_{223-richard brown} theories , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} threw [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} headlong into the plan of the concerts ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} offered to perform , to teach , to do whatever [Brown]_{223-richard brown} might wish . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was thoroughly disgusted with [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} [Sacha]_358-sacha , who had hitherto known no divinity save [him]_379-hamlin and pure beauty , when [he]_379-hamlin saw [her]_358-sacha devoting [herself]_358-sacha to humanitarianism , personified in what [he]_379-hamlin called “_{[2680-that shoddy philanthropical black brute]} [that shoddy philanthropical black brute]_{2680-that shoddy philanthropical black brute} . ” [He]_379-hamlin became vehemently devoted to [Anne]_171-anne . [He]_379-hamlin seemed to repent of [his]_379-hamlin book . [He]_379-hamlin declared [himself]_379-hamlin sick of [London]_4-london and of [æsthetic society]_{5637-æsthetic society} . “_{[2680-that shoddy philanthropical black brute]} [I]_0-i must turn over a new leaf , ” [he]_379-hamlin said . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i feel [I]_0-i must , or sink into being no better than [Chough]_379-hamlin or [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} . But [I]_0-i am too weak to turn it over alone . Will [you]_2681-you help [me]_0-i , [Miss Brown?”—and]_{407-miss brown?”—and} [he]_379-hamlin looked at [her]_2681-you with [his]_379-hamlin slow , beautiful glance of Platonic love . [Anne]_171-anne smiled sadly . “_{[407-miss brown?”—and]} [No one]_{3899-no one} can help [any one]_{4101-any one} , [I]_0-i am beginning to fear ; and [I]_0-i least of all . ” [She]_171-anne had got so accustomed to these sudden returns of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s , to these false starts , these longings after a healthier moral and intellectual atmosphere , which came to nothing . [She]_171-anne saw so plainly the hopeless weakness and thinness of [his]_379-hamlin nature ; and yet in such moments [she]_171-anne could not help feeling some of that old love for [this beautiful , delicate , idealistic , chivalrous creature whom [she]_171-anne knew to be mere selfishness and vanity]_{5876-this beautiful , delicate , idealistic , chivalrous creature whom she knew to be mere selfishness and vanity} . If only [he]_379-hamlin would remain thus at least . “_[0-i] Perhaps [you]_2681-you are right , ” answered [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , leaning over the piano at which [she]_171-anne was seated ; “_[2681-you] but [I]_0-i feel [myself]_0-i sick of this life , this poetry . All is false , false , hollow , and empty . [My]_0-i verses are untrue , [my]_0-i pictures are mere Christmas cards ; even with [you]_2681-you as [a model]_{1105-a model} , [I]_0-i feel [I]_0-i am always repeating the same wearisome insipid trick of eyes , and mouth , and neck . Oh , [I]_0-i do n’t know what to do ! ” It was but too true . That school of mere beautiful suggestion , which scorned reality and mechanical skill as a bird scorns the ground , was fast sinking into nullity . [Anne]_171-anne had often remarked it in comparing the works of [various masters]_{5877-various masters} ; [she]_171-anne had noticed the stray sentences , not meant for [her]_171-anne , dropped by [painters of other schools]_{5878-painters of other schools} . “_{[408-bastien‐lepage]} Go to [Paris]_42-paris and study for a year or so under [Bastien‐Lepage]_{408-bastien‐lepage} , or [Henner]_409-henner , or [Duran]_410-duran , ” [she]_171-anne said , with a smile at the vanity of [her]_171-anne own words . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin could not even conceive that [she]_171-anne was in earnest , that [any one]_{4101-any one} could dream of seeing anything in modern French painting , that [any one]_{4101-any one} could be so mad as to think of [his]_379-hamlin studying . “_[410-duran] Yes , ” [he]_379-hamlin cried , “_[2687-them] that is the only art that can live in [our]_2685-our day ! [Ours]_2685-our is [a mere phantom]_{2686-a mere phantom} ; [our]_2685-our poetry is a phantom ; [they]_2687-them come round [us]_2685-our imploring [us]_2685-our to give [them]_2687-them life , like the ghosts round [[Odysseus]_411-odysseus ’s trench]_{2688-odysseus ’s trench} . But who shall give [them]_2687-them life ? Where shall [we]_2685-our get the life‐blood of passion whereon to feed and revivify [them]_2687-them ? ” And [he]_379-hamlin suddenly turned round and looked at [her]_171-anne with great yearning eyes . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was genuinely unhappy , though [he]_379-hamlin did not guess that [his]_379-hamlin unhappiness was due to vacuity , to slighted vanity , to the sudden infatuation of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} for [a shoddy philanthropist]_{5881-a shoddy philanthropist} . [He]_379-hamlin longed for passion as , in hot climates , after months of faint sultriness , one longs for rain and wind ; and [he]_379-hamlin looked at [Anne]_171-anne as one might watch the dark clouds hanging on [the hills]_{5385-the hills} , the dark clouds which hold the storm for which one is thirsting . Oh for a strong passion!—it would revive [him]_379-hamlin , revive [his]_379-hamlin art . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin did not say it to [himself]_379-hamlin in so many words , but [he]_379-hamlin felt it . [He]_379-hamlin talked long and vehemently about the necessity of going outside [one]_620-one ’s self , of transmuting one ’s consciousness into that of [another]_5884-another , of having something beyond [one]_620-one ’s self to live for . [He]_379-hamlin told [Anne]_171-anne , always with those yearning eyes fixed upon [her]_171-anne , that what was wanted to revive [the world]_{496-the world} and art ( and by [the world]_{496-the world} [he]_379-hamlin meant [himself]_379-hamlin ) was passion ; but not the mere sultry passion which [[his]_379-hamlin school]_{5209-his school} had sung about , which merely enervated and sent to sleep , but the clear cold air , the whirlwinds and thunderstorms of ideal love — of love such as [Dante]_180-dante had felt for [Beatrice]_187-beatrice , and [Heathcliff]_{394-heathcliff} for [Cathey]_412-cathey . It was very eloquent and beautiful what [he]_379-hamlin said about this love , which was something vague and quite unselfish and outside one ’s self,—a sort of act of adoration and purification and renunciation,—a meeting of [two souls which vibrated in unison]_{5889-two souls which vibrated in unison} in [their]_{5889-two souls which vibrated in unison} desire for the good and the noble . While [he]_379-hamlin spoke , [Anne]_171-anne almost believed that [he]_379-hamlin was sincere ; sincere , indeed , [he]_379-hamlin was , but according to [his]_379-hamlin nature , not [hers]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne felt the tears coming into [her]_171-anne eyes , and a vague wish to throw [herself]_171-anne into [his]_379-hamlin arms and implore [him]_379-hamlin to cast aside [his]_379-hamlin selfish habits , to live for the life of [other men]_{1485-other men} and for [her]_171-anne love , came to [her]_171-anne heart . But when , suddenly , [their]_{5889-two souls which vibrated in unison} conversation was interrupted by the entry of [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , it all ebbed back , till [her]_171-anne whole nature seemed to burst . [She]_171-anne felt that [he]_379-hamlin did not know what [he]_379-hamlin was saying , what [he]_379-hamlin did not comprehend what [he]_379-hamlin was wanting ; [she]_171-anne felt the uselessness of saying to [this man]_{1239-this man} that [the world]_{496-the world} and [herself]_171-anne were waiting for [him]_379-hamlin to love [them]_{5889-two souls which vibrated in unison} , that [her]_171-anne whole nature was sickening for want of [one with which to vibrate in harmony of desire for the good and the noble]_{5893-one with which to vibrate in harmony of desire for the good and the noble} . [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} , the sonnets , a hundred little words and looks which had made the chasm between them , returned to [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne felt once more alone , terribly and hopelessly alone . And still , when [she]_171-anne met [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Dick]_379-hamlin , and realised how different [he]_379-hamlin was , how genuine and strong and passionate for good , [she]_171-anne could not help experiencing a sort of repulsion from [him]_379-hamlin , and a melancholy , hopeless throwing of [herself]_171-anne back on to [the unreal Hamlin]_379-hamlin . [She]_171-anne felt that [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , with all [his]_{223-richard brown} nobility and energy of nature , would never have done for [her]_171-anne what [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had done , would never have been for [her]_171-anne what [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had been ; that [he]_{223-richard brown} would never have singled [her]_171-anne out , [her]_171-anne [a mere servant]_{5659-a mere servant} , and guessed that in [her]_171-anne there was a soul which could love and could aspire . But after all , why had [Hamlin]_379-hamlin singled [her]_171-anne out ? and what had [he]_379-hamlin guessed in [her]_171-anne , what had [he]_379-hamlin hoped from [her]_171-anne ? That line of [Rossetti]_381-rossetti ’s , which [Hamlin]_379-hamlin admired more than any other , which [he]_379-hamlin so often quoted — “_[2687-them] Beauty like [hers]_2689-hers is genius , ” — returned to [her]_171-anne with a chill ; and [she]_171-anne felt that [Hamlin]_379-hamlin wanted , expected from [her]_171-anne that sort of passion which [he]_379-hamlin had spoken of to revive [him]_379-hamlin and [his]_379-hamlin art . It seemed to [her]_171-anne as if [she]_171-anne had been sold in [the slave‐market]_{5896-the slave‐market} , and were being told “_[2687-them] now love . ” [RICHARD BROWN]_{223-richard brown} did not let [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} sit at [his]_{223-richard brown} feet very long . After about a fortnight of extremely assiduous visits at [the Russian lady ’s house at [Kensington]_{114-kensington}]_{5897-the russian lady ’s house at kensington} , during which [he]_{223-richard brown} poured out to [the enthusiastic little woman]_{5898-the enthusiastic little woman} all [his]_{223-richard brown} philanthropical schemes , [Richard]_{223-richard brown} suddenly gave up calling , and even avoided meeting [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} at [other houses]_{5899-other houses} . “_[2687-them] Why have [you]_2690-you deserted [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} so suddenly ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne of [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} . To confess the truth , [Anne]_171-anne was rather malicious in [her]_171-anne question . [She]_171-anne had speedily recognised the vanity , or rather the self‐sufficiency , the belief in [his]_{223-richard brown} own irresistible uniqueness , which was the leaven of [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin ’s virtues , and [she]_171-anne had been amused from the first at seeing how [this earnest philanthropist]_{5901-this earnest philanthropist} had let [himself]_{223-richard brown} be caught by [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s conscious or unconscious instinct of flirtation ; and now , [she]_171-anne thought , [Dick]_379-hamlin has suddenly awaked from [his]_379-hamlin dream of having fascinated and converted [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . [Anne]_171-anne smiled as [she]_171-anne asked the question , but there was sadness as well as amusement in [her]_171-anne smile . In [his]_379-hamlin way — [his]_379-hamlin blind , self‐satisfied , unselfish way — [Dick]_379-hamlin was as vain as [Hamlin]_379-hamlin : wherever [she]_{360-madame elaguine} looked vanity and hollowness met [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} could not even conceive what vanity was . “_[2690-you] Why have [you]_2691-his deserted [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ? ” repeated [Anne]_171-anne . [Brown]_171-anne suddenly raised [his]_2691-his big , rough , black head from the review which [he]_2691-his had been mechanically looking at , and answered , looking straight in front of [him]_2691-his — “_[2691-his] Do n’t speak to [me]_0-i about [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is [an odious woman]_{2135-an odious woman} . ” There was something brief and silencing in [his]_2691-his tone which surprised [Anne]_171-anne and precluded further questions . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} In fact , ” added [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , “_{[360-madame elaguine]} if it were not that [a woman like [you]_2694-you]_{2693-a woman like you} will never even understand what [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is made of , [I]_0-i should peremptorily say that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is not a person for [you]_2694-you to know . ” [Anne]_171-anne was indignant , and yet , at the same time , a little shocked . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} Why , what has [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} done ? ” “_{[360-madame elaguine]} Done ! ” answered [Brown]_171-anne , half waiving the subject , and half insisting upon it , as [self‐important men]_{5902-self‐important men} frequently do . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} Why , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} has done nothing . But that makes no difference ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s [an odious woman]_{2135-an odious woman} . ” [Anne]_171-anne laughed bitterly . [The whole world]_{4244-the whole world} seemed so awry , [every one]_{4712-every one} seeing everything through the crooked spectacles of [his]_{4712-every one} own vanity . Now here was [Dick]_379-hamlin insinuating evil against [a woman]_{3960-a woman} because [he]_379-hamlin had been such a big baby as to fancy [her]_{3960-a woman} in love with [him]_379-hamlin . “_{[2135-an odious woman]} [Men]_4644-men are very unjust ! ” cried [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[4644-men] [they]_4644-men always trump up some mysterious sin to justify [their]_4644-men unreasonable aversions . ” [Brown]_171-anne reddened , and was on the point of saying something . But [he]_379-hamlin checked [himself]_379-hamlin , and merely remarked — “_[4644-men] Oh , of course [women]_3959-women always fancy that [they]_3959-women understand [each other]_{594-each other} better than [a man]_{503-a man} can . ” “_[3959-women] So [they]_3959-women can ! [A woman]_{3960-a woman} can always understand [another woman]_{4381-another woman} better than [a man]_{503-a man} can , who attributes all sorts of nasty masculine faults to [women]_3959-women , or [suspects imaginary feminine ones]_{2704-suspects imaginary feminine ones} , when [he]_{503-a man} does n’t see clear . Oh yes , [I]_0-i know : [every woman]_{2705-every woman} is weak , vain , [a creature of impulse and passion]_{2706-a creature of impulse and passion} , something half‐way only between [the man]_{757-the man} and [the child]_{660-the child} , as [I]_0-i read in a French paper , with a kind of sham character , like the backbones of cartilage or jelly of [some lower creatures]_{2709-some lower creatures} ! ” [Brown]_171-anne shook [his]_5906-his head . “_{[2710-most women]} [Most women]_{2710-most women} are like that , but not all ; not [you]_2711-you , [Anne]_171-anne , for instance . ” “_[171-anne] Thank [you]_0-i , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , scornfully . “_[0-i] But [all women]_{2712-all women} , at least [all noble women]_{2713-all noble women} , are unable to judge of [other women]_{1523-other women} . How should [they]_{2712-all women} judge ? It is only [a man]_{503-a man} , or [a base woman]_{2716-a base woman} , who knows of the mud out of which many women , like [many men]_{2717-many men} , are moulded . ” “_[620-one] [One]_620-one does not need to be base to know that , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , half to [herself]_171-anne ; and [she]_171-anne thought of the mud which [she]_171-anne had discovered in [her]_171-anne own silver idol . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t think [we]_2719-we are alluding to the same thing , ” said [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin , turning off the conversation . “_[0-i] Mere vanity , and the injustice of vanity , ” said [Anne]_171-anne to [herself]_171-anne , and [her]_171-anne pessimism became more confirmed . But later , although [she]_171-anne continued to believe quite equally in [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s vanity , [she]_171-anne began to suspect that there had been in [this coarse‐looking man]_{5907-this coarse‐looking man} a movement of modesty , an unwillingness to let [her]_171-anne eyes rest upon some nasty thing which [he]_{5907-this coarse‐looking man} had seen . But of this , at present , [she]_171-anne had no idea , and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , although [she]_{360-madame elaguine} did not find much in common with [her]_171-anne , became for [Anne]_171-anne another victim of the vanity and injustice of [the world]_{496-the world} . [They]_2719-we saw a good deal of [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} now . [Anne]_171-anne thought [she]_171-anne understood [her]_{4885-the little woman} thoroughly , and owned to [herself]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne had not understood [her]_{4885-the little woman} at first . [She]_171-anne recognised that [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} had much more character than [she]_171-anne had at first imagined ; and the impression of frailness , childishness , and helplessness which something in [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s appearance , manner , and voice had at first given [her]_171-anne , wore away so completely that [she]_171-anne could scarcely believe it had ever existed . Eccentric and irresponsible [she]_{4885-the little woman} still seemed , always rushing from one enthusiasm to another , always thirsting for excitement ; but [Anne]_171-anne found that instead of [a childish girl who could lean upon [her]_171-anne]_{5911-a childish girl who could lean upon her} , [she]_171-anne had to deal with [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , undisciplined and capricious indeed , but still , in many respects , [more of [a woman]_{3960-a woman} than [herself]_171-anne]_{5913-more of a woman than herself} . [She]_{4885-the little woman} was flighty and giddy like [[her]_{4885-the little woman} own little girl]_{5915-her own little girl} in many respects , and fully as ignorant of many things ; but [she]_{4885-the little woman} had a knowledge of sides of life which [Anne]_171-anne instinctively guessed , and from which [she]_{4885-the little woman} recoiled . With an extraordinary love of the beautiful , the fantastic , and the ideal , which , as it made [her]_{4885-the little woman} dress [herself]_{4885-the little woman} in queer ingénue little costumes , also made [her]_{4885-the little woman} mould [her]_{4885-the little woman} conduct , ideas , and words rather theatrically in obedience to a conception of something striking and pretty,—Madame [Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had , at the same time , a vein — no , [Anne]_171-anne thought it must be a mere exterior dab , not due to [her]_{4885-the little woman} inner nature , but to [her]_{4885-the little woman} Russian and Continental education — of coarseness , which surprised and pained [Miss Brown]_171-anne . Once or twice , in [Anne]_171-anne ’s presence , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} alluded to things in a manner which gave [Anne]_171-anne a shock ; and [Anne]_171-anne , who , half Italian as [she]_171-anne was , and wholly fearless and unprudish , would ask [herself]_171-anne what right [she]_171-anne had had to feel like that ; [she]_171-anne would analyse [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s words , and find them , when measured by a Continental standard , very harmless ; yet somehow , though [she]_171-anne told [herself]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne was stupid and unjust , something of the painful impression would remain . Also , [she]_171-anne could not conceive how [a woman]_{3960-a woman} could like to sit for hours , as [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} did , on the score of spiritual séances , with [a man like [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis]_{5917-a man like edmund lewis} . [She]_171-anne never heard [him]_{5917-a man like edmund lewis} talk on anything objectionable to [the Russian]_{413-the russian} ; and yet there was something to [her]_171-anne inconceivable in the endurance of [this man]_{1239-this man} by [a young woman]_{581-a young woman} . [Anne]_171-anne came to the conclusion that [she]_171-anne must be growing horribly prejudiced and unjust ; and the less [she]_171-anne could sympathise with some of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s tastes ( though there was nothing really objectionable in them ) the more did [she]_171-anne force [herself]_171-anne to try and understand , and make allowance for , and help [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} . And one day [Anne]_171-anne ’s sympathies were really enlisted for [her]_171-anne . It was about Christmas , and [Anne]_171-anne had prevailed upon [Hamlin]_379-hamlin to accompany [her]_171-anne and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} to a pantomime , to which [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} was taking [[her]_{5582-the russian} little girl]_{5922-her little girl} , and [Anne]_171-anne [the two Chough children]_{5923-the two chough children} . [Anne]_171-anne amused [herself]_171-anne heartily , as [she]_171-anne always did , at every sort of theatrical performance , with the love of shows and acting in [her]_171-anne Italian blood ; [she]_171-anne was so happy laughing with [the children]_{3862-the children} , while [Hamlin]_379-hamlin talked with [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} and [Chough]_379-hamlin in the back of the box , that that evening long remained a sort of oasis in the dreariness of [her]_171-anne inner life . There was a tremendous crush in [the lobbies]_{5926-the lobbies} and on the stairs ; . and while [Chough]_379-hamlin shoved on [[his]_379-hamlin two children]_{5927-his two children} , and [Hamlin]_379-hamlin tried to make way through [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} for [[his]_379-hamlin frail little cousin]_{5929-his frail little cousin} , who looked as if [she]_{5929-his frail little cousin} would be knocked over and trampled like a feather , [Anne]_171-anne , towering through [the throng]_{5930-the throng} ( and [people]_577-people turned to look at that magnificent pale face , set in crisp black hair , and said to [each other]_{594-each other} , “_{[5933-the famous pre‐raphaelite beauty ”]} Look there ; that ’s [Miss Brown]_171-anne , [the famous pre‐Raphaelite beauty ”]_{5933-the famous pre‐raphaelite beauty ”} ) , held [[Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha ’s little girl]_{5934-sacha elaguine ’s little girl} close in front of [her]_171-anne , calmly making [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} divide as [a ship]_{5936-a ship} divides [the water]_{4411-the water} . [They]_5938-they were fairly out of [the theatre]_{4193-the theatre} , on the steps looking out into [the street]_{842-the street} , with the gas burning dim in the fog , and the long splashes of yellow light on pavement and wet cab‐tops , waiting in the damp cold , while [Chough]_379-hamlin called [[their]_5938-they carriage]_{1360-their carriage} , and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , leaning on [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s arm , [the two little Choughs by [her]_{360-madame elaguine} side]_{5942-the two little choughs by her side} , had heaved a sigh of relief , and exclaimed — “_{[5933-the famous pre‐raphaelite beauty ”]} Oh , how delicious it is to be in the cold , and fog , and dark , after [that theatre]_{2720-that theatre} ! — ” When [little Hélène Elaguine]_{414-little hélène elaguine} , who was holding [Anne]_171-anne ’s hand , and see‐sawing from one leg to another — while staring at [the men in opera hats and comforters]_{5943-the men in opera hats and comforters} , and [the ladies]_{4923-the ladies} and [children]_570-children huddled in furs , and [the policemen]_{5946-the policemen} and [cabmen who passed in front]_{5947-cabmen who passed in front} — suddenly gave a piercing shriek , and threw [herself]_{414-little hélène elaguine} into [Anne]_171-anne ’s arms , clinging to [her]_171-anne and burying [her]_{414-little hélène elaguine} head in [her]_{414-little hélène elaguine} pelisse . “_{[5933-the famous pre‐raphaelite beauty ”]} Good heavens ! what ’s the matter , [child]_5758-child ? ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , mechanically clasping [the little girl]_{5948-the little girl} round the waist . “_[5758-child] What ’s the matter ? ” cried [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , who had not seen this action . But [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had let go [his]_379-hamlin arm and darted forward , white as ashes , and seized [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} child]_{5949-her child} from [Anne]_171-anne , and cried—“Let_{[5933-the famous pre‐raphaelite beauty ”]} [us]_2722-us go ! let [us]_2722-us go ! ” in an agonised voice . [The carriage]_{810-the carriage} came up , and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} jumped into it , scarcely giving [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [Anne]_171-anne time to follow , and leaving [Chough]_379-hamlin and [[his]_379-hamlin children]_{4938-his children} amazed before [the theatre]_{4193-the theatre} door . [The carriage]_{810-the carriage} stopped at [her]_{360-madame elaguine} door in [Kensington]_{114-kensington} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i can not pass this night alone with only [Helen]_415-helen and [the servants]_{5568-the servants} ! [I]_0-i can not , [I]_0-i can not ! ” And [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} burst into tears , strangely intermingled with hysterical laughs . “_[2724-they] [They]_2724-they want to take [[my]_0-i child]_{2725-my child} away ; [they]_2724-they are trying it again ! ” “_[2724-they] What is to be done ? ” asked [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . “_[2724-they] [I]_0-i will stay to‐night with [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , with decision ; “_{[360-madame elaguine]} if [you]_2726-you will go to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} and tell [[Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} ’s maid]_{2727-aunt claudia ’s maid} that [[your]_2726-you cousin]_{4341-your cousin} was feeling ill , and [I]_0-i am staying with [her]_{2727-aunt claudia ’s maid} till to‐morrow . Help [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} out , will [you]_2726-you ? ” [Hamlin]_379-hamlin lifted [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} out of [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} , while [Anne]_171-anne took charge of [the child]_{660-the child} , whom [its nurse]_{5957-its nurse} carried up in a condition of lethargic sleep . When [they]_5958-they were in [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s drawing‐room]_{5959-madame elaguine ’s drawing‐room} , [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} took [the child]_{660-the child} in [her]_{5582-the russian} arms , and flinging [herself]_{5582-the russian} on a sofa , burst out crying , [her]_{5582-the russian} sobs interrupted by moaning complaints that [some one]_{1380-some one} wanted to take [[her]_{5582-the russian} child]_{5949-her child} away . “_[2726-you] [I]_0-i will go to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} now , and leave [you]_2729-you with [her]_2730-her , ” whispered [Hamlin]_379-hamlin to [Anne]_171-anne , who had knelt down by the side of the sofa . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will come to‐morrow morning for news ; good night . ” “_[0-i] Good night , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , under [her]_171-anne breath . But [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} heard . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} started up , and looking wildly about — “_[0-i] Oh , do n’t leave [me]_0-i alone yet ! ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} cried . “_[0-i] [Miss Brown]_171-anne will remain , [Sacha]_386-sacha , ” said [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . “_[386-sacha] Oh , do n’t leave [me]_0-i yet , [Walter]_145-hamlin ! ” repeated [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am afraid — [I]_0-i am afraid of [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think [you]_145-hamlin had better remain , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” whispered [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[145-hamlin] [she]_171-anne will probably be quiet in a minute or two . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin took a chair near the table , and looked on in surprise . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was stretched on the sofa , [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} sleeping child]_{5964-her sleeping child} pressed close to [her]_{360-madame elaguine} ; [her]_{360-madame elaguine} little head , with its short pale curls , thrown back ; [her]_{360-madame elaguine} eyes half closed , moaning and gasping and sobbing ; and [Anne]_171-anne , kneeling by [her]_{360-madame elaguine} side , looking anxiously into that curious , convulsed face . “_[171-anne] Do [you]_2731-you think [she]_171-anne is going to faint ? ” asked [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin of [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ’s Swiss maid , who stood by , the picture of self‐satisfied composure]_{5965-hamlin of his cousin ’s swiss maid , who stood by , the picture of self‐satisfied composure} . “_[2731-you] Oh no — [Monsieur]_{2732-monsieur} need be under no apprehension . [Madame]_{360-madame elaguine} often had de ces crises ; [Madame]_{360-madame elaguine} was often frightened like that . It was the first time since [Madame]_{360-madame elaguine} was in [England]_37-england , but it was quite common . [Madame]_{360-madame elaguine} , ” added [the servant]_{4647-the servant} quietly , “_{[360-madame elaguine]} has probably seen [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} black man]_{2733-her black man} — ” “_{[2734-what black man]} [What black man]_{2734-what black man} ? ” asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha had suddenly raised [herself]_386-sacha on [her]_386-sacha elbow,—as if [she]_386-sacha had heard [the maid]_{4505-the maid} ’s words . “_{[2734-what black man]} Take [Mademoiselle Hélène]_{416-mademoiselle hélène} to bed , [Sophie]_417-sophie , ” [she]_386-sacha said quietly . “_[417-sophie] Sha n’t [I]_0-i take [her]_{416-mademoiselle hélène} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne . “_[417-sophie] [Sophie]_417-sophie knows how to manage [her]_{416-mademoiselle hélène} , ” answered [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; and sitting up , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} drew [the half‐wakened child]_{5969-the half‐wakened child} close to [her]_{360-madame elaguine} and kissed [her]_{5969-the half‐wakened child} with convulsive passion . Yet [she]_{360-madame elaguine} let [the maid]_{4505-the maid} carry off [the little one]_{652-the little one} , and merely let [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} slip down on the couch with a moan , putting aside [her]_{360-madame elaguine} heavy fur and passing [her]_{360-madame elaguine} hands through [her]_{360-madame elaguine} pale blond hair , and moaning . “_[417-sophie] Do n’t [you]_2735-you think [you]_2735-you had better go ? ” said [Anne]_171-anne to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[2735-you] [I]_0-i will look after [[your]_2735-you cousin]_{4341-your cousin} . ” [She]_0-i would loathe to have [Hamlin]_145-hamlin sitting there , looking at [her]_0-i , if [she]_0-i were in [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s condition . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin rose . “_[0-i] Stop a minute , ” said [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} faintly , turning round and fixing [her]_{1267-his cousin} vague northern blue eyes on [him]_145-hamlin ; “_[0-i] stop a minute , [Walter]_145-hamlin . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin remained standing , [his]_145-hamlin eyes involuntarily fixed upon the curious spectacle of [this prostrate little figure , panting and gasping as if going to die]_{5973-this prostrate little figure , panting and gasping as if going to die} , and half unconscious of [any one]_{4101-any one} ’s presence — [her]_{1267-his cousin} cloak thrown back on the sofa , [her]_{1267-his cousin} hair tangled , [her]_{1267-his cousin} bare arms and neck ( for it was one of [her]_{1267-his cousin} caprices always to go the play , even to the pantomime , full dress ) half covered by the fur of [her]_{1267-his cousin} pelisse and the lace of [her]_{1267-his cousin} dress . “_[145-hamlin] Stay a minute ; [I]_0-i want to explain , ” repeated [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} , in a faint voice . “_[0-i] [Anne]_171-anne — dear [Anne]_171-anne — where are [you]_171-anne ? ” “_[171-anne] Here [I]_0-i am , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , in [her]_0-i cheerful strong voice ; “_[0-i] do [you]_0-i want anything , dear [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i want [you]_171-anne , ” and [Sacha]_386-sacha flung [her]_386-sacha arms round [Anne]_171-anne ’s neck , and drew [her]_386-sacha dark head close to [her]_386-sacha own little pale yellow one . [Anne]_171-anne felt [her]_171-anne arms tighten passionately round [her]_171-anne , [her]_171-anne little hand tighten convulsively round [her]_171-anne neck , as if [the half‐fainting woman]_{5976-the half‐fainting woman} would throttle her,—but [she]_171-anne felt no fear , only a vague , undefinable repulsion . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} sighed a long sigh of relief , and loosened [her]_{360-madame elaguine} hold ; but [she]_{360-madame elaguine} kept [Anne]_171-anne ’s face near [hers]_{360-madame elaguine} , and kissed [her]_171-anne with hot lips on the forehead . “_[0-i] [Dear Anne]_418-anne , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said , “_[0-i] forgive [me]_0-i . ” “_[0-i] There is nothing to forgive , ” said [Anne]_418-anne , trying to get loose and to rise to [her]_418-anne feet . But [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} kept [her]_418-anne down in [her]_418-anne kneeling posture , [her]_{360-madame elaguine} arm always round [Anne]_418-anne ’s shoulder . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i must explain it all to [you]_418-anne , ” [she]_0-i said , in a slow , vague tone , fixing [her]_0-i eyes upon [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[0-i] Do n’t think [me]_0-i very foolish or mad ; but [I]_0-i thought [they]_2737-they were again trying to carry off [my]_0-i little [Helen,—they]_{419-helen,—they} have tried before,—and [they]_2737-they keep writing to [me]_0-i , telling [me]_0-i that [they]_2737-they will carry off [Helen]_415-helen or kill [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i do n’t care about that,—but [Helen]_415-helen ! ” and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} hid [her]_{360-madame elaguine} face in [Anne]_418-anne ’s iron‐black hair . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked on as in a dream . It was a curious sight , [these two women]_{5977-these two women} , so different , and yet both so young and beautiful , [the one clinging so to the other]_{5978-the one clinging so to the other} ; and of the two , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , whom [he]_145-hamlin had never thought regularly handsome , with [her]_{360-madame elaguine} thin , strange face , and red lips , and wild eyes , seemed to [him]_145-hamlin at this moment [the stranger]_{5979-the stranger} and more beautiful of [the two]_{1016-the two} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i want to explain it all , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[145-hamlin] [Walter]_145-hamlin , give [me]_0-i that box — [the little Indian inlaid one on the writing‐table]_{2738-the little indian inlaid one on the writing‐table} — there , next to the palm‐tree . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin brought the box ; and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , without letting go [her]_{360-madame elaguine} hold of [Anne]_418-anne , pressed a spring and opened it . It was full to the brim of letters — some large and folded in [their]_{5977-these two women} envelopes , others mere scraps of paper . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} took some out , and spread them on [her]_{360-madame elaguine} knees . “_[145-hamlin] Look , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said , letting [Anne]_418-anne go , so that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} could , while still kneeling , see the papers . [Anne]_418-anne raised [herself]_418-anne , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin approached . “_[145-hamlin] Look at these , ” said [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} , carefully handling the soiled and crumpled pieces of paper ; “_[145-hamlin] these are to [me]_0-i what love‐letters are to [other women,—they]_{2739-other women,—they} are [my]_0-i life — [my]_0-i past , and [my]_0-i future . ” And [she]_{5582-the russian} fixed [her]_{5582-the russian} eyes wildly on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_{[2739-other women,—they]} As [other women]_{1523-other women} have lived on knowing that [they]_{1523-other women} were loved and would always be loved , so [I]_0-i have lived , ever since [I]_0-i was twenty , knowing that [I]_0-i was surrounded by [invisible enemies]_{2741-invisible enemies} , who would either put a sudden end to [my]_0-i life or protract it with [their]_{2741-invisible enemies} tortures . Ah ! [I]_0-i know [you]_2742-you think [me]_0-i giddy , and fickle , and childish ; but [you]_2742-you do n’t know that [I]_0-i try to lose [my]_0-i wits in order that [I]_0-i may gain some peace ! ” [her]_{5582-the russian} voice burst out hot and passionate . [Anne]_418-anne and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin were shyly fingering the papers ; [they]_{1523-other women} were all in the same hand — a curious , crabbed , left‐handed character — some in French , some in English , some in Russian , but all brief and to the same purpose : initials of which neither [Anne]_418-anne nor [Hamlin]_145-hamlin understood the meaning at the head , and below a threat of something terrible , sometimes left vague , sometimes outspoken , as death , to what was styled [the traitress]_{5982-the traitress} . [Many of [them]_{1523-other women}]_{5983-many of them} said that what could not be visited on [the mother]_{1950-the mother} should be visited on [the children]_{3862-the children} , and [all]_5986-all concluded with saying that wherever [the traitress]_{5982-the traitress} went [she]_{5582-the russian} would be followed by invisible eyes and footsteps . “_[0-i] It was all [my]_0-i fault in the beginning , ” began [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , covering [her]_0-i eyes with [her]_0-i hands ; “_[0-i] but [I]_0-i was very young , ignorant , and lonely ; and after all , what harm did [I]_0-i do ? [I]_0-i had been married when [I]_0-i was only seventeen to [a man whom [I]_0-i thought of as [a father]_{2744-a father}]_{2743-a man whom i thought of as a father} ; and little by little , when [I]_0-i found what sort of man [he]_{2743-a man whom i thought of as a father} was — how base , and coarse , and cunning — [I]_0-i began to feel very lonely and empty‐hearted . [I]_0-i was too young to care for [[my]_0-i children]_{3970-my children} , who were [babies]_2746-babies , and [I]_0-i was [a baby]_{2747-a baby} [myself]_0-i . But it was all so lonely , and [the world]_{496-the world} so mean about [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i longed to be of some use , and able to sacrifice [myself]_0-i for something . And [a man]_{503-a man} was sent across [my]_0-i path , twice as old as [myself]_0-i , whom [I]_0-i looked upon as [a father]_{2744-a father} , and who treated [me]_0-i as [a child]_{623-a child} ; and [this man]_{1239-this man} used to talk to [me]_0-i , when [[my]_0-i husband]_{4038-my husband} left [me]_0-i all alone to run after [low women]_{2754-low women} , and tell [me]_0-i all about the miserable condition of [Russia]_115-russia , and how all the good was being stamped out , and only selfishness , and injustice , and corruption triumphed . [He]_{1239-this man} was [a Nihilist]_{2755-a nihilist} [himself]_{1239-this man} , and [one of [[their]_2757-their chief men]_{2758-their chief men}]_{2756-one of their chief men} — [a wonderful man , who seemed so cold , and just , and honest]_{2759-a wonderful man , who seemed so cold , and just , and honest} . So , little by little , [he]_{1239-this man} converted [me]_0-i to [his]_{1239-this man} ideas , and [I]_0-i got to know [other Nihilists]_{2760-other nihilists} , [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women , and heard a great deal about all sorts of terrible doings . [I]_0-i felt so happy and heroic — [I]_0-i was [a fool]_{4435-a fool} , [you]_2764-you see . Then [I]_0-i suddenly discovered that [[my]_0-i hero]_{2765-my hero} was quite different from what [I]_0-i thought — that [he]_{1239-this man} had gained all this power over [me]_0-i only in hopes of making shameful use of it , and had cornpromised [me]_0-i with [[his]_{1239-this man} party]_{2766-his party} merely to make [me]_0-i [[his]_{1239-this man} mistress]_{1072-his mistress} . When [I]_0-i understood it , [I]_0-i drove [him]_{1239-this man} away , and threatened to tell all to [[my]_0-i husband]_{4038-my husband} ; and then [he]_{1239-this man} swore to get the better of [me]_0-i , and to use all the power of [his]_{1239-this man} society to bring [me]_0-i , as [he]_{1239-this man} called it , to reason . For two years , while [[my]_0-i husband]_{4038-my husband} was alive , [I]_0-i struggled with [him]_{1239-this man} , and [he]_{1239-this man} kept on threatening and hoping to frighten [me]_0-i . But when [[my]_0-i husband]_{4038-my husband} died , [I]_0-i sold all the Russian property , and was preparing to leave [the country]_{945-the country} , and then [that man who hated [me]_0-i , just because in [his]_{1239-this man} way [he]_{1239-this man} had loved [me]_0-i , denounced [me]_0-i to [[his]_{1239-this man} society]_{2773-his society}]_{2772-that man who hated me , just because in his way he had loved me , denounced me to his society} as [a traitor to the Nihilist cause]_{2774-a traitor to the nihilist cause} , and as [a person to be hunted down]_{2775-a person to be hunted down} . And so , ever since , [I]_0-i have been persecuted with all the might of [the Nihilists wielded by [this man]_{1239-this man}]_{2776-the nihilists wielded by this man} ; and although [I]_0-i have been hundreds of times on the point of denouncing [him]_{1239-this man} and [[his]_{1239-this man} associates]_{2778-his associates} to [the Government]_{2779-the government} , [I]_0-i have never done so , because [I]_0-i am still [a Nihilist]_{2755-a nihilist} at heart , and hate [the Russian Government]_{2781-the russian government} as much as [I]_0-i hate [him]_{1239-this man} ; and [he]_{1239-this man} , who knows it , knows [I]_0-i can not defend [myself]_0-i , and employs [his]_{1239-this man} power in tormenting [me]_0-i . ” A convulsion passed across [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s face ; it dropped , like that of [a dying person]_{5988-a dying person} . But [she]_{360-madame elaguine} started up suddenly , and went on with [her]_{360-madame elaguine} story . For ten years nearly [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had been persecuted in this mysterious way ; threatening letters had come to [her]_{360-madame elaguine} by all manner of conveyances,—brought by the post , found on [her]_{360-madame elaguine} table , dropped by invisible hands at [her]_{360-madame elaguine} feet . Attempts had been made to poison [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , stopped just in time to let [her]_{360-madame elaguine} know of them — for the object seemed rather to make [her]_{360-madame elaguine} life unbearable than to take it away ; burning spirits of wine had been poured under [her]_{360-madame elaguine} door ; twice [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had been shot at . But the most terrible part of the persecution had come when [they]_5989-they had discovered [her]_{360-madame elaguine} passionate love for [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} little girl]_{5922-her little girl} ( [the boy]_{3866-the boy} , now at school , [they]_5989-they had somehow let alone ) . Several times , in various places ( for [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was always on the move , flying [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} enemies]_{5992-her enemies} ) , attempts had been made to carry off [the child]_{660-the child} ; once , at [Cannes]_116-cannes , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had gone to the window just in time to see [a man]_{503-a man} snatch up [the child , who was playing in the garden , and to fire off a revolver]_{5995-the child , who was playing in the garden , and to fire off a revolver} at [him]_{503-a man} . “_{[1239-this man]} If [I]_0-i had killed [[my]_0-i child]_{2725-my child} , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , savagely , “_[0-i] it would have been better than to see [her]_{2725-my child} carried away from [me]_0-i . ” [The individual who had made these attempts]_{5996-the individual who had made these attempts} [she]_{360-madame elaguine} described as being very dark , as if [his]_{5996-the individual who had made these attempts} complexion had been altered by overdoses of nitrate of silver . And [this man]_{1239-this man} would every now and then , at unexpected moments , reappear , and [his]_{5996-the individual who had made these attempts} reappearance meant some fresh outrage . Poor little [Helen]_415-helen had suddenly seen [him]_{1239-this man} , or thought [she]_415-helen had seen [him]_{1239-this man} , among [the crowd coming out of [the theatre]_{4193-the theatre}]_{5998-the crowd coming out of the theatre} ; and this had produced [the child]_{660-the child} ’s sudden fit . “_{[2725-my child]} Ever since [I]_0-i have come to [London]_4-london , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have been comparatively quiet . [I]_0-i was almost forgetting all about [my]_0-i misfortunes , or thinking [I]_0-i was forgotten — and here it begins afresh ; ” and [she]_0-i burst into tears . “_[415-helen] Oh why , why can not [I]_0-i be permitted to be happy for a little while — only a little while ? ” [she]_0-i cried . [Anne]_418-anne had listened [awe‐stricken]_{420-awe‐stricken} . [She]_418-anne had always thought there was something mysterious about [this giddy little woman]_{6001-this giddy little woman} . This frightful undeserved calamity struck down [her]_418-anne imagination ; what right had [she]_418-anne ever to feel unhappy in the presence of such misery as this ? “_[415-helen] Perhaps , ” [she]_0-i suggested timidly—“perhaps_[415-helen] it may have been [Helen]_415-helen ’s fancy . As [she]_415-helen is used to the idea of [this black man]_{2783-this black man} , [she]_415-helen may have imagined , being tired and overexcited from the play , that [she]_415-helen saw [him]_{2783-this black man} among [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} . ” “_[415-helen] Oh no , no , it was [he]_{2783-this black man} , really [he]_{2783-this black man} , ” moaned [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , turning over on the sofa and burying [her]_{360-madame elaguine} face in its cushions . “_{[2783-this black man]} [You]_2785-you must go now , ” whispered [Anne]_418-anne to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “_[2785-you] there is no earthly use in [your]_2785-you staying . [I]_0-i will sit up with [her]_415-helen till [she]_415-helen be quiet . Good night . ” “_[0-i] Good night ; ” and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , as [he]_145-hamlin noiselessly opened the door , cast a last glance at that singular group in the rose‐coloured light of [[[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ’s lamp,—Sacha]_{6003-his cousin ’s lamp,—sacha} , with [her]_415-helen fur and lace all in disarray , gasping on the couch , [her]_415-helen bare throat heaving , and one of [her]_415-helen thin white arms hanging loosely by [her]_415-helen side ; and [Anne Brown]_171-anne , in [her]_171-anne long plain white dress of high art simplicity of cut , stooping over [her]_171-anne . For some time [Anne]_171-anne sat by [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s side , holding [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} ’s hot hand . “_[0-i] Is [Walter]_145-hamlin gone ? ” suddenly asked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , turning [her]_{360-madame elaguine} head . “_[145-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin went some minutes ago . ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} raised [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} and sat up on the sofa , and passed [her]_{360-madame elaguine} little hands through [her]_{360-madame elaguine} disorderly yellow hair . “_[145-hamlin] Give [me]_0-i a kiss , [Annie]_171-anne , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said . [Anne]_171-anne stooped down and kissed [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[171-anne] Perhaps [I]_0-i had better go to bed now , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_[0-i] Shall [I]_0-i help [you]_145-hamlin to undress ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , who feared that [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} might have another fit of hysterics . “_[0-i] Oh no ; call [Sophie]_417-sophie — [she]_417-sophie will undress [me]_0-i . ” On [Anne]_171-anne ’s call , [the Swiss maid]_{6006-the swiss maid} emerged from [the next room]_{3870-the next room} . “_[417-sophie] Put [me]_0-i to bed , ” ordered [Sacha]_386-sacha , rising and leaning on the arm of the sofa . “_[417-sophie] May [I]_0-i really not help [you]_145-hamlin ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , for [the maid]_{4505-the maid} looked so indifferent , nay , so sulky , and [she]_{4505-the maid} seemed to handle [[her]_{4505-the maid} mistress]_{6009-her mistress} so roughly , that [Miss Brown]_171-anne wondered how [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} state of nerves , could endure to be helped by [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . [Anne]_171-anne waited till [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was in bed . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have made up the bed for [Mademoiselle]_{416-mademoiselle hélène} in [the spare room]_{2786-the spare room} , ” said [the maid]_{4505-the maid} , looking at [Anne]_171-anne with a curious insolence ; and [she]_{4505-the maid} led [her]_171-anne up‐stairs . [Anne]_171-anne did not put out the lamp , and [she]_171-anne did not undress . [She]_171-anne could not sleep ; and [she]_171-anne felt miserable at the notion of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} being left all alone on [the first floor]_{559-the first floor} . What if [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} should wake up with a panic , if [she]_171-anne were to fancy that [some of [[her]_171-anne mysterious persecutors]_{6014-her mysterious persecutors}]_{6013-some of her mysterious persecutors} were hiding in [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} ? [Anne]_171-anne took the lamp , and silently descended into [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} . All was quiet . [She]_171-anne sat down in an arm‐chair , and made up the dying fire . [She]_171-anne felt very restless and unable to sleep . The whole scene of this night and [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s revelations had shaken [her]_171-anne nerves and gone to [her]_171-anne imagination . In [her]_171-anne half‐drowsy , dreamy condition , everything seemed to [her]_171-anne strange and eerie in [this room]_{6017-this room} , which was so unlike [her]_171-anne own at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} . [It]_{6017-this room} was full of pretty things , but in great confusion ; [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s piano was still open , with a book of [Rubinstein]_{421-rubinstein} ’s songs on it . There was a heap of dog’s‐eared French novels and recent volumes of poetry on the table , and [the whole room]_{6018-the whole room} was heavy with the scent of some Eastern drug and of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s Turkish cigarettes . On the table by [Anne]_171-anne ’s side were some books : [she]_171-anne took up one , and opened it at random ; it was [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s new volume . At the head of the page was the title , “_[0-i] Desire — XII . Sonnets , ” and all along the margin was a faint line in pencil , and the words , in a childish hand , “_[0-i] How beautiful ! and how TRUE ! ” THE notion that [a man]_{503-a man} was waiting , thirsting for [her]_171-anne love , would have been enough for [many a woman in [Anne]_171-anne ’s position]_{6020-many a woman in anne ’s position} — [many a woman more gifted than [Anne]_171-anne]_{6021-many a woman more gifted than anne} , and more conscious of [her]_171-anne gifts , especially if [the man who thus tacitly implored [her]_171-anne to love and kindle love in [him]_{6022-the man who thus tacitly implored her to love and kindle love in him}]_{6022-the man who thus tacitly implored her to love and kindle love in him} , were , like [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [the former object of passionate worship]_{6023-the former object of passionate worship} . But with [Anne Brown]_171-anne it was different . [Some few women]_{6024-some few women} seem to be born to have been [men]_4644-men , or at least not to have been [women]_3959-women . To [them]_{6024-some few women} love , if it come , will be an absorbing passion , but a passion only of brief duration , the mere momentary diversion into a personal and individual channel of a force which constitutes [the whole moral and intellectual existence , whose object is an unattainable ideal of excellence , and whose field]_{6027-the whole moral and intellectual existence , whose object is an unattainable ideal of excellence , and whose field} is the whole of [the world in which there is injustice , and callousness , and evil]_{6028-the world in which there is injustice , and callousness , and evil} . [Such women]_{6029-such women} may be very happy if [they]_{6029-such women} love [a man]_{503-a man} with [their]_{6029-such women} eyes open — love [him]_{503-a man} as a mere secondary concern , as [a mere trusty companion in the struggle after the ideal]_{6031-a mere trusty companion in the struggle after the ideal} ; but if [they]_{6029-such women} love in [a man]_{503-a man} what momentarily seems to be that ideal , if [they]_{6029-such women} love with all the force of [their]_{6029-such women} nature , a terrible reaction of vacuity and despair must soon come . As with [[their]_{6029-such women} lovers]_{4925-their lovers} and [husbands]_710-husbands , so also with [[their]_{6029-such women} children]_{2449-their children} : [they]_{6029-such women} can not blissfully concentrate all [their]_{6029-such women} passion upon [them]_{6029-such women} ; such love will soon become narrow and bitter for [them]_{6029-such women} . [They]_{6029-such women} are indeed sent into [the world]_{496-the world} ( if any of [us]_6037-us is ever sent for any purpose ) to be [its Joans of [Arc]_117-arc]_{6038-its joans of arc} — to kindle from [their]_{6029-such women} pure passion a fire of enthusiasm as passionate , but purer than it is given to [men]_4644-men to kindle : [they]_{6029-such women} are not intended to be , except as a utilisation of what is fatally wasted , either [wives]_5265-wives or [mothers]_5266-mothers . [Masculine women]_{6042-masculine women} , [mere men in disguise]_{6043-mere men in disguise} , [they]_{6042-masculine women} are not : the very strength and purity of [their]_{6042-masculine women} nature , its intensity as of some undiluted spirit , is dependent upon [their]_{6042-masculine women} cleaner and narrower [woman]_2081-woman ’s nature , upon [their]_{6042-masculine women} narrowness and obstinacy of [woman]_2081-woman ’s mind ; [they]_{6042-masculine women} are , and can only be , [true women]_{6046-true women} ; but [women]_3959-women without [woman]_2081-woman ’s instincts and wants , sexless — [women]_3959-women made not for [man but for humankind]_{6050-man but for humankind} . [Anne Brown]_171-anne was one of these . [She]_171-anne had no idea that [she]_171-anne was of this strange , rare stuff of [heroines]_{1005-heroines} ; [she]_171-anne had no notion that [she]_171-anne was at all superior to the ordinary run of [her]_171-anne sex ; indeed it was [her]_171-anne perfect ignorance of [her]_171-anne own exceptional nature which caused most of [her]_171-anne wretchedness , making [her]_171-anne at once more impatient with the weakness of [others]_4163-others , and more impatient with [her]_171-anne own difficulty of being satisfied . Love , therefore , was not for [her]_171-anne a happiness , nor an ideal , nor even a compensation . In an intensely earnest nature like [hers]_171-anne , a few years are worth a lifetime : everything is understood , endured much sooner ; all that can be felt , for pleasure or pain , is rapidly exhausted , and the character remains early , with all its human lusts and vanities burnt out like the gases in green wood , ready to become the fuel for unindividual ideal passion . So at twenty‐three , [Anne]_171-anne had , so to speak , loved out [her]_171-anne love , [her]_171-anne passionate adoring love , as [she]_171-anne had dreamed out the dreams of [her]_171-anne life ; anything that might still come would be but a faint momentary flicker of sentiment , a detail in [her]_171-anne life , and no more . So when [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had , in [his]_145-hamlin veiled way , made [her]_171-anne to understand what [he]_145-hamlin hoped , what [he]_145-hamlin desired , what [he]_145-hamlin expected , what ( [she]_171-anne could not help saying to [herself]_171-anne ) [he]_145-hamlin had bargained for , of [her,—the]_{6053-her,—the} thought of this love , which [she]_171-anne could no longer feel , and which [she]_171-anne was expected to give — of this love which was to be merely the highest selfish pleasure , the most precious ( because the most refined ) , æsthetic lust of [a selfish æsthetic voluptuary]_{6054-a selfish æsthetic voluptuary} , [Anne]_171-anne experienced a sense of horror and self‐debasement . So this was what [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was waiting for — this which made [him]_145-hamlin play that comedy of respectful distant adoration , of freedom of choice in [her]_171-anne , of absence of all rights in [himself]_145-hamlin — this that [her]_171-anne solid mass of soul should slowly take fire , and smoulder , and , leaping up in inextinguishable flame , set [him]_145-hamlin also ablaze . Hitherto [Anne]_171-anne had been unhappy from [her]_171-anne isolation , from [her]_171-anne gradual discovery that [the man whom [she]_171-anne had loved as [an ideal of nobility]_{6056-an ideal of nobility}]_{6055-the man whom she had loved as an ideal of nobility} must be scorned as [a mere weak‐spirited and morbid‐minded artistic automaton,—a mind]_{6057-a mere weak‐spirited and morbid‐minded artistic automaton,—a mind} creating beautiful things from sheer blind necessity , as a violin gives out beautiful sounds , but soulless , like the mere instrument of wood and string . [She]_171-anne had been unhappy because [she]_171-anne was alone , terribly alone ; but now [she]_171-anne was unhappy because [she]_171-anne had discovered that [she]_171-anne was in bondage , surrounded by walls , [a slave]_{2670-a slave} . And now that [she]_171-anne yearned for the icy sense of isolation with which [she]_171-anne had lived a few weeks back , as [a prisoner in [a fortress]_{6060-a fortress}]_{6059-a prisoner in a fortress} might yearn for [the desert]_{6061-the desert} , [she]_171-anne found also that [she]_171-anne could no longer drift on indifferent , enduring the present , and hoping for the future . [She]_171-anne could no longer vaguely say to [herself]_171-anne , as [she]_171-anne had so often said before , that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin might be redeemed , that [he]_145-hamlin might yet become once more an object of [her]_171-anne love : for it had become plain to [her]_171-anne that [her]_171-anne future was settled ; that whatever [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was , [he]_145-hamlin was [[her]_171-anne master]_{6062-her master} , [[her]_171-anne proprietor]_{6063-her proprietor} ; and that , lovable or not lovable to [her]_171-anne nature , [he]_145-hamlin expected , counted upon [her]_171-anne love . This new feeling made [Anne]_171-anne ’s life — that life which was so completely a life of [the world within]_{6064-the world within} , not of [the world]_{496-the world} without — insupportable in a new way . Isolated [she]_171-anne could live , but not caged . [Her]_171-anne whole soul sickened ; [she]_171-anne no longer thought of trying to influence [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , of trying to help [others]_4163-others ; all [her]_171-anne energies were concentrated upon helping , upon freeing [herself]_171-anne . “_[0-i] There is something the matter with [Anne Brown]_171-anne , ” said [Sacha]_386-sacha one day to [[her]_386-sacha cousin]_{1291-her cousin} . “_[0-i] What is it ? ” “_[171-anne] [Miss Brown]_171-anne always looks very serious , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , affecting indifference . “_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne has a tragic sort of face even when [she]_171-anne is quite happy . It is one of [her]_171-anne great peculiarities , and to [me]_0-i [her]_171-anne charms ; but for some time [I]_0-i could not realise that [she]_171-anne was really happy . ” “_[171-anne] That ’s not it , ” cried [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , impatiently . “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i know [Anne]_171-anne when [she]_171-anne ’s happy and [Anne]_171-anne when [she]_171-anne ’s unhappy . [She]_171-anne does n’t look merely grave and tragic as [she]_171-anne used to — [she]_171-anne looks perplexed , and pained , and worried ; [she]_171-anne ’s not happy in [her]_171-anne life . ” “_[171-anne] [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” said [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , in [his]_353-lewis drawling , clammy voice , fixing [his]_353-lewis conquering eyes on [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} with a quiet , insolent smile—“Miss_[171-anne] [Brown]_171-anne is [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , although [she]_171-anne looks like [a goddess]_{759-a goddess} ; and even [goddesses]_{2789-goddesses} , [you]_2790-you know , could not help being [women]_3959-women too . ” [The Russian]_{5582-the russian} laughed . “_[171-anne] Always the fatuity of [these men]_{2792-these men} ! ” [she]_171-anne cried , and turned contemptuously on [her]_171-anne heel . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin did not answer , but a feeling of satisfaction came over [him]_145-hamlin . [Anne]_171-anne was unhappy ; and in a nature like [hers]_171-anne , [he]_145-hamlin said to [himself]_145-hamlin , love must be unhappiness . But when [he]_145-hamlin saw [Lewis]_353-lewis and [[his]_353-lewis cousin]_{1267-his cousin} alone [he]_145-hamlin felt annoyed ; and [he]_145-hamlin fell upon [their]_{2792-these men} spiritualistic practices with a perfect rabidness of scorn . [Anne]_171-anne little knew that [she]_171-anne was watched ; [she]_171-anne did not care what might or might not be thought of [her]_171-anne by [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha , by [Chough]_379-hamlin , by [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , by any of [these people whom [she]_171-anne despised]_{6070-these people whom she despised} ; and as to [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , an instinct told [her]_171-anne that [he]_379-hamlin would never guess what it was that troubled [her]_171-anne . So [Anne]_171-anne kept [her]_171-anne pain to [herself]_171-anne ; but sometimes the despair of being thus enslaved became too strong for endurance , and [she]_171-anne longed for [some one to whom to confide it]_{6071-some one to whom to confide it} . Every word , every look , every piece of attention , every show of indifference on [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s part , seemed to mean the same thing : that [he]_379-hamlin expected [her]_171-anne to love [him]_379-hamlin — everything seemed to allude and point to that . [The only women with whom [she]_171-anne was at all really intimate]_{6072-the only women with whom she was at all really intimate} were [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} ; but [Anne]_171-anne could not say a word to [them]_{6072-the only women with whom she was at all really intimate} , could not ask [their]_{6072-the only women with whom she was at all really intimate} advice . [She]_171-anne could never , [she]_171-anne thought , make [either of [these girls]_{1402-these girls}]_{6073-either of these girls} enter into [her]_171-anne situation , comprehend [her]_171-anne feelings , make [her]_171-anne understand that [she]_171-anne was not ungrateful , and that [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was not ungenerous . Yet [she]_171-anne felt the terrible need of [some one]_{1380-some one} to counsel [her]_171-anne — to take some of the frightful responsibility either of ingratitude or of degradation from off [her]_171-anne — to show [her]_171-anne either how to get out of the situation , or how to submit to it . [Such a person there]_{6076-such a person there} was — [a person who might help [her]_171-anne , who might even understand [her]_171-anne]_{6077-a person who might help her , who might even understand her} ; but something told [Anne]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne must not have recourse to [him]_379-hamlin , to [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Dick]_379-hamlin . Perhaps it was vanity , perhaps a knowledge that [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} would triumph over this miserable ending to what [he]_{223-richard brown} had always opposed ; a fear lest [he]_{223-richard brown} might misunderstand [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , and bespatter what was the one beautiful thing in [his]_{223-richard brown} life — [his]_{223-richard brown} raising up of [Anne]_171-anne . For it was a curious point that , contemptible as [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had become to [Anne]_171-anne , and unworthy in [her]_171-anne own eyes of [her]_171-anne love , [she]_171-anne could not endure the idea of [any one else]_{1701-any one else} understanding this , of [any one else]_{1701-any one else} attacking [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . None of [them]_6081-them , [she]_171-anne felt , could understand what [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had done for [her]_171-anne ; what [he]_379-hamlin had been — nay , what , as a beloved piece of the past , [he]_379-hamlin still was — to [her]_171-anne ; only [she]_171-anne could measure what [she]_171-anne owed to [him]_379-hamlin , and only [she]_171-anne , therefore , might weigh the bad in [him]_379-hamlin against the good . For even when [she]_171-anne was most overcome with the sense of the moral prison which was closing round [her]_171-anne , to cripple [her]_171-anne life and break [her]_171-anne spirit , [Anne]_171-anne could not wish that the past had been otherwise — that [she]_171-anne had never met [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , never contracted a debt towards [him]_379-hamlin , never loved [him]_379-hamlin . Bleak and dark as might be the present , [she]_171-anne would not ever have given up that past,—that sudden flaming up of [her]_171-anne life , that one spell of hope and trustfulness , and admiration and love , which must serve [her]_171-anne for all [her]_171-anne existence : to have had that was always sweet , to have been given it was always a reason for gratitude . Moreover , [Anne]_171-anne could not now contemplate what [she]_171-anne would have been had [she]_171-anne never met [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . To [her]_171-anne stern and idealising nature , to have remained without knowledge , without responsibility , without sympathy , without sense of right or wrong , morally only half developed , only half alive , as [she]_171-anne had been during [her]_171-anne earlier girlhood , was unendurable . [She]_171-anne would not , for all the pain and humiliation which it might cost [her]_171-anne , have forfeited the finer fibre , the clearer vision which had shown [her]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne was indebted therefor to [a man whom [she]_171-anne despised]_{6082-a man whom she despised} . No ; [she]_171-anne could not , even in thought , relinquish the past . But what of the future ? The question laid hold of [Anne]_171-anne ’s mind , and for some weeks rode it like [an incubus]_{6083-an incubus} . How many of [us]_6084-us have thus let a hopeless problem get hold of [our]_6084-us whole nature , and make it move , day after day , week after week , in the frightful treadmill of its vicious circle ? Every night [Anne]_171-anne lay down to sleep with [her]_171-anne doubts half solved , [her]_171-anne mind half made up , only to wake up the next day with all [her]_171-anne doubts reinforced and all [her]_171-anne resolutions scattered . Such a condition is not due to weakness or indecision of character ; nay , it is probably only [the earnest minds , the most capable of serious decisions , who can thus go on living in suspense , resisting the temptation of a decision , enduring the monotonous recurrence of a struggle of motives and of thought]_{6085-the earnest minds , the most capable of serious decisions , who can thus go on living in suspense , resisting the temptation of a decision , enduring the monotonous recurrence of a struggle of motives and of thought} ; it is the effort , this frightful mental instability , at retaining moral life where life would easily be extinguished ; it is the weary tramp up and down with cold cramped limbs of [the prisoner who knows that were [he]_{6086-the prisoner who knows that were he to stop} to stop]_{6086-the prisoner who knows that were he to stop} , were [he]_{6086-the prisoner who knows that were he to stop} to lie down , [he]_{6086-the prisoner who knows that were he to stop} would have rest , but also death . Almost unintentionally [Anne]_171-anne kept asking [herself]_171-anne what steps [she]_171-anne could take to be free . [She]_171-anne used , in moments of weakness and weariness of heart , to go over schemes of independence , to indulge in day‐dreams of self‐supporting liberty . [She]_171-anne who , a few months ago , had dreamed of raising [the lower classes]_{4974-the lower classes} , of spreading higher knowledge and ideals among [them]_{4974-the lower classes} , of awakening [the more fortunate parts of society]_{6088-the more fortunate parts of society} to [their]_{6088-the more fortunate parts of society} sense of responsibility,—she whose whole energy had been taken up in silent projects for bettering , no matter how little , [the world]_{496-the world} , bettering [the poor]_{5668-the poor} by making [them]_{5668-the poor} think and enjoy , bettering [the rich]_{6091-the rich} by making [them]_{5668-the poor} feel ; giving [the shop‐girls of [the Women]_{6093-the women} ’s]_{6092-the shop‐girls of the women ’s} Club a glimpse into the world of imagination , and giving [Hamlin]_379-hamlin a glimpse into the world of reality,—she was now thinking of how [she]_171-anne might earn [her]_171-anne bread , how [she]_171-anne might live as [a teacher]_{4134-a teacher} or [a governess]_{2497-a governess} . Talking with [the Leighs]_{5461-the leighs} and [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} , [she]_171-anne used shyly , and with a desire to deceive very foreign to [her]_171-anne , to put questions , seemingly purely abstract , as to what [a poor girl with a certain amount of education]_{6098-a poor girl with a certain amount of education} could best do — as to what was required of [a schoolmistress]_{5337-a schoolmistress} or [a governess]_{2497-a governess} . And , while telling [herself]_171-anne that it was all useless — that [she]_171-anne was bound by the past , however much [she]_171-anne might try and cut [herself]_171-anne loose from the present — [Anne]_171-anne mechanically gave [her]_171-anne time to studying , no longer to be more worthy of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , or more useful in [the world]_{496-the world} , but to enable [herself]_171-anne to gain a livelihood if . . . Ah ! well , when [she]_171-anne asked [herself]_171-anne plainly what that “_[171-anne] if ” meant , [she]_171-anne had to answer that [she]_171-anne scarcely knew : if [the slave‐owner]_{6102-the slave‐owner} should say to [[his]_{6102-the slave‐owner} slave]_{4402-his slave} , “_[171-anne] Go — [I]_0-i am tired of [you]_2793-you ; ” if [the man who had bought the precious statue or picture]_{6104-the man who had bought the precious statue or picture} should weary of it and wish to exchange it . And [Anne]_171-anne had to admit to [herself]_171-anne that [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was not [the man to feel or act like this]_{6105-the man to feel or act like this} . Nay sometimes , when [she]_171-anne had indulged in a day‐dream of freedom — when [she]_171-anne had let [herself]_171-anne go to the vain belief that [Hamlin]_379-hamlin would one day awaken to the sense that [this woman]_{5573-this woman} was not [his]_379-hamlin ideal , as [she]_171-anne had awakened to the sense that [he]_379-hamlin was not [hers]_{5573-this woman} — when [she]_171-anne had worked out the details of [her]_171-anne half‐starving life of independence , [her]_171-anne return to [her]_171-anne old drudgery ( but with a freer spirit ) , [her]_171-anne hard struggle as [a teacher of [little children]_{6108-little children}]_{6107-a teacher of little children} , or [a shop‐girl]_{6109-a shop‐girl} , or at best [a schoolmistress,—the recollection of the past]_{6110-a schoolmistress,—the recollection of the past} would suddenly overpower [her]_171-anne — the recollection of what [she]_171-anne had been , what [she]_171-anne had hoped — the recollection of [her]_171-anne love of that debt which [she]_171-anne was now devising a means of paying off,—and poor [Anne]_171-anne would burst into tears . But that debt , [she]_171-anne felt , could not be paid off . [She]_171-anne might support [herself]_171-anne in the future , but how could [she]_171-anne get rid of the past ? If [she]_171-anne lived on dry bread for the rest of [her]_171-anne life , [Hamlin]_379-hamlin would still have done for [her]_171-anne what [she]_171-anne believed that [no other man]_{1078-no other man} had ever done for [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ; if [she]_171-anne could save up every penny of earnings and place before [him]_379-hamlin all that [he]_379-hamlin had ever spent for [her]_171-anne education , would it not be the basest , vilest mockery and cheat , and could [she]_171-anne repay the love which [he]_379-hamlin had felt , the trustfulness which [he]_379-hamlin had shown ? Repay it [she]_171-anne never could ; for love and trustfulness [she]_171-anne could not give in return ; and [she]_171-anne must ever remain in [his]_379-hamlin debt , remain [his]_379-hamlin to do [his]_379-hamlin bidding . And yet at times the question arose in [her]_171-anne , What right had [she]_171-anne to pay a debt at the price of [her]_171-anne honour ? To become [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} when [she]_171-anne did not love [him]_379-hamlin , to pretend love which [she]_171-anne did not feel , this was in [Anne]_171-anne ’s eyes , measured by [her]_171-anne stern measure of right and wrong , a prostitution ; and could it be honourable to let [herself]_171-anne be dishonoured ? But [Anne]_171-anne cast this thought behind [her]_171-anne ; [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , by binding only [himself]_379-hamlin and leaving [her]_171-anne free , had by [his]_379-hamlin chivalrous generosity really bound [her]_171-anne ; if to possess [her]_171-anne , and as much of [her]_171-anne life and love as [she]_171-anne could give , would make [Hamlin]_379-hamlin happy , [he]_379-hamlin had a right to it . The strain , [Anne]_171-anne felt , was becoming too much for [her]_171-anne ; this question of [her]_171-anne own future , of [her]_171-anne own dignity and undignity , was swallowing up [her]_171-anne whole nature , neither more nor less than the nature of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [[his]_379-hamlin friend]_{696-his friend} was swallowed up by [their]_6115-their æsthetical feelings . [Anne]_171-anne recognised , with terror , that [she]_171-anne was deteriorating ; that [she]_171-anne was beginning to care nothing for [others]_4163-others in this preoccupation about [herself]_171-anne ; and that such a thing should happen — that [she]_171-anne too should lose [her]_171-anne more generous feelings — was a greater degradation than any other which could come over [her]_171-anne . This shame and this misfortune alone it was in [her]_171-anne power to prevent , and [she]_171-anne determined to prevent it . [She]_171-anne did [her]_171-anne best to put aside all questions of [her]_171-anne own future , to accustom [herself]_171-anne to wait for what might happen , what [she]_171-anne might be summoned to do , and [she]_171-anne threw [herself]_171-anne with more ardour than ever ( trying to escape from the contamination , not merely , as before , of the selfishness of [others]_4163-others , but of [her]_171-anne own ) into such studies and questions as concerned wider interests than [her]_171-anne own . [Anne]_171-anne ’s earnest nature , lacking the happy faculty of being absorbed by present feelings , had always been very subject to a dull moral pain at the evil in [the world]_{496-the world} , storms from the great Sahara of misery which would lower over [her]_171-anne own oasis of happiness , clogging its atmosphere and blighting its greenness . But now [her]_171-anne efforts not to brood over [her]_171-anne own unhappiness , resulted merely in [her]_171-anne brooding almost unceasingly over the unhappiness of [others]_4163-others . And gradually , to the sense of the misery of [the world]_{496-the world} , became superadded the terrible sense of the injustice of [that world]_{6121-that world} ’s arrangements : from being indignant with the callousness of [men]_4644-men , [Anne]_171-anne became indignant , with the same cold and sombre indignation , at the callousness of [God]_195-god . [She]_171-anne felt [herself]_171-anne alone , isolated , separated not only from [the men and women surrounding [her]_171-anne]_{6123-the men and women surrounding her} , but separated in spirit from the whole scheme of things . And to [her]_171-anne , the greater part of whose life was in [her]_171-anne aspirations , this gradual removal of anything to which to aspire , this gradual destruction of [every ideal with which to sympathise , such a condition of moral loneliness]_{6124-every ideal with which to sympathise , such a condition of moral loneliness} was , as [Anne]_171-anne once said to [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} , worse than death . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had somehow , that day , been more sympathising with [Anne]_171-anne than usual . Had [she]_171-anne not been too much engrossed , [she]_171-anne might have noticed that [he]_{223-richard brown} watched [her]_171-anne face , listened to [her]_171-anne words , not merely now with gentleness and friendliness , but with a kind of suppressed admiration and wonder . “_[0-i] Nothing is so bad as death , ” answered [Richard]_{223-richard brown} ; “_[0-i] because , once dead , [we]_2794-we can no longer feel , [we]_2794-we can no longer judge , or sympathise , or strive . ” [Anne]_171-anne looked up from the frock which [she]_171-anne was making for one of the little Choughs , whose wardrobe was getting into a lamentable condition . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t mean that [we]_2794-we are so useful when [we]_2794-we are dead , but [we]_2794-we are less unhappy . [You]_2795-you talk of feeling , and sympathising , and judging , and striving : what can [we]_2794-we feel , and sympathise with , and judge , except the miserableness of [men]_4644-men , and [their]_4644-men weakness and badness , and the horrible arrangement of [the world]_{496-the world} which makes [them]_4644-men such ? and after what can [we]_2794-we strive , except vainly to release [ourselves]_2794-we from that abominable order of [the world]_{496-the world} ? ” [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} looked at [Anne]_171-anne for a moment in silence . [He]_{223-richard brown} was [a singularly unæsthetic man]_{6126-a singularly unæsthetic man} , and confusing beauty with mere utility , [he]_{223-richard brown} had never well understood the beauty which [artistic people]_{1852-artistic people} chose to see in this strange , uncommon , sombre face , so unlike that of [any one else]_{1701-any one else} , and which seemed to have no prototype either in [man]_1134-man or [woman]_2081-woman . But now [he]_{223-richard brown} felt that [Anne]_171-anne was beautiful , and very beautiful . “_{[2799-all mankind]} [All mankind]_{2799-all mankind} is gradually releasing itself from what [you]_2800-you call this evil arrangement of [the world]_{496-the world} , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} answered ; “_[2800-you] or rather , the very perception that such an arrangement is evil is teaching mankind,—I mean all that much of [mankind which makes the rest]_{2802-mankind which makes the rest} move on , to rearrange [the world]_{496-the world} , and out of the bad to make the good . ” [Anne]_171-anne shrugged [her]_171-anne shoulders contemptuously . “_[2800-you] Why was the arrangement made if it was evil ? ” [she]_171-anne asked . “_[2800-you] Because , ” said [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} , watching [her]_171-anne face as [he]_{223-richard brown} let [his]_{223-richard brown} words drop—“because_[2800-you] there was no sense of good and evil at the beginning ; because it is only [man who has conceived that the pleasure of others]_{2804-man who has conceived that the pleasure of others} is good , and the pain of [others]_4163-others is evil ; and because , therefore , [only man]_{2806-only man} can be expected to reorganise [the world]_{496-the world} so that the good of [others]_4163-others be sought and the evil of [others]_4163-others avoided . It is only [man]_1134-man living with [men]_4644-men , and feeling [their]_4644-men miseries in [his]_1134-man own , and [their]_4644-men happiness in [his]_1134-man own , who can be anxious for justice and impatient of injustice . How can [you]_2812-you expect it of nature ? ” [Anne]_171-anne did not answer , but remained for a moment with [her]_171-anne hands folded over [her]_171-anne work , looking out of the window . Outside there was only yellow fog , and leafless spectral branches ; yet [her]_171-anne onyx‐grey eyes opened slowly , as if [she]_171-anne were taking in some faint but glorious vision . “_[2812-you] What right have [you]_2812-you to expect such feelings except from [men]_4644-men and [women]_3959-women ? ” went on [Brown]_171-anne ; “_{[3874-the gods]} [the gods]_{3874-the gods} , [you]_2812-you know , have other things to do . [I]_0-i suppose , ” [he]_6132-he added bitterly , “_[0-i] that [they]_{3874-the gods} had a godlike life like [[their]_{3874-the gods} representatives]_{2816-their representatives} , [the poets]_{1623-the poets} and [artists]_1500-artists , on [earth]_2819-earth , creating only for [their]_{3874-the gods} amusement , and keeping every disagreeable sight , or sound , or feeling , or suspicion away from [them]_{3874-the gods} . ” [Anne]_171-anne was accustomed to such hits at [Hamlin]_144-hamlin ; they were too true to be refuted , and too spiteful to be accepted ; and now [she]_171-anne was too much absorbed to notice any of them . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t know exactly what [you]_0-i are driving at , [Dick]_379-hamlin , ” [she]_0-i said . “_[379-hamlin] [I]_0-i do n’t understand [your]_0-i theory about [man]_1134-man and [God]_195-god , and right and wrong ; it is misty to [me]_0-i . But still it seems — [I]_0-i do n’t know how — as if , could [I]_0-i only understand it , it would make a great difference to [me]_0-i . ” “_[195-god] It must make a great difference to [every honest person]_{2821-every honest person} . [You]_0-i have no religion , [Anne]_171-anne . ” “_[171-anne] No . [I]_0-i thought religion was all bosh ; merely a sort of silly pretty delusion , like love and all that ; ” and [Anne]_171-anne thought bitterly how [her]_171-anne own only religion , [her]_171-anne love for [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , [her]_171-anne desire to become worthy of [his]_379-hamlin goodness , had lamentably betrayed [her]_171-anne . “_[0-i] Without religion life is death , ” said [Brown]_171-anne , with [his]_379-hamlin positivistic solemnity . [Anne]_171-anne looked at [him]_379-hamlin contemptuously ; [she]_171-anne had so often heard [people]_577-people talk solemnly like that . Did not [Hamlin]_379-hamlin talk in that way about the religion of beauty , and Dennistoun about the religion of love , by which [he]_379-hamlin meant lust ? “_[0-i] It is all very fine ; but [I]_0-i do n’t much believe in religions . There is nothing worth worshipping ; all is fetish , at best half silver and half clay . ” “_[0-i] [You]_0-i do n’t believe in any religion , [Anne]_171-anne , because [you]_0-i have never tried to find one . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have looked in the Gospel , and in the ‘ Imitation of Christ , ’ and in [my]_0-i own heart , [Dick]_379-hamlin ; and what [I]_0-i have found there is ignored in the scheme on which [the world]_{496-the world} is made ; because [I]_0-i have read there of love and justice and mercy , and [I]_0-i have not found the love and justice and mercy which presided over creation . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i told [you]_0-i that [the world]_{496-the world} was not made by [man]_1134-man , and that it is [man who has conceived good and evil]_{2825-man who has conceived good and evil} . [I]_0-i always told [you]_0-i , [Anne]_171-anne , that it was a great pity that [you]_0-i should read only books upon details of science , like political economy and so forth , and refuse to get general ideas of what is and what is not the belief of [our]_2826-our age . ” “_[0-i] Detail knowledge — [I]_0-i mean knowledge of political economy and physiology and so forth — is useful ; it can be applied , it can serve to make [people]_577-people a little less wretched . What is the use of [your]_0-i general ideas ? Oh , [I]_0-i know ; the religion of truth , the worship of ideas , & c. , & c. [I]_0-i do n’t see that it is a bit nobler to worship truth than to worship beauty ; [your]_0-i religion of science is only another form of selfish æstheticism : [[your]_0-i friends]_{1635-your friends} hanker after knowledge , as [[my]_0-i friends]_{1822-my friends} hanker after beautiful pictures , and music , and poetry , and [women]_3959-women ; and as [[my]_0-i people]_{2831-my people} dignify [their]_{2831-my people} appetites with the name of religion of beauty , so do [yours]_0-i sanctify [theirs]_{2831-my people} as the worship of truth . All that merely makes [the world]_{496-the world} more cold and black in [my]_0-i eyes . ” “_[0-i] These general ideas , ” answered [Brown]_171-anne , “_[0-i] are what prevent [me]_0-i from being as wretched as [you]_0-i are . Do [you]_0-i call that useless ? ” “_[0-i] That is just what [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin says about beauty , and [Chough]_379-hamlin about the Eternal Feminine . But [I]_0-i do n’t see that [the world]_{496-the world} gains by this devotion . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know nothing of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s or [Chough]_379-hamlin ’s opinions , ” interrupted [Brown]_171-anne , impatiently ; “_[0-i] but [I]_0-i know that if [you]_0-i permit [yourself]_0-i to continue in this kind of pessimism [you]_0-i will enervate [your]_0-i soul , [Anne]_171-anne . It seems very noble and austere , and all that sort of bosh ; but there is just the same fascination in it as there is in any morbid excitement , and just the same debasement of [the individual]_{2834-the individual} in indulging therein . ” [His]_379-hamlin words seemed to go through [Anne]_171-anne . Was [she]_171-anne becoming selfish , weak , self‐indulgent ? The terror of it sickened [her]_171-anne . And was everything , however noble it seemed — love , beauty , nay , even [her]_171-anne indignation at [the world]_{496-the world} ’s evil — only a snare ? “_[0-i] Will [you]_0-i teach [me]_0-i , [Dick]_379-hamlin ? ” [she]_0-i said , after a moment . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t much believe in [your]_0-i religion — positivism , [I]_0-i suppose it is — for all religions seem to [me]_0-i to turn out , oh , so empty , after promising so much . But if [you]_0-i will tell [me]_0-i , or give [me]_0-i books to read , [you]_0-i know [I]_0-i will do [my]_0-i best to understand . ” “_[0-i] [You]_2835-you are [a noble girl]_{2836-a noble girl} , [Anne]_171-anne , ” said [Brown]_171-anne half audibly , fixing [his]_379-hamlin eyes on [Anne]_171-anne ’s . “_{[2836-a noble girl]} [I]_0-i did not think there was [a woman so strong , and truthful]_{2837-a woman so strong , and truthful} , and fair‐minded as [you]_2835-you — well — in [the whole world]_{4244-the whole world} . ” “_[0-i] [You]_0-i always think [people]_577-people base , [Dick]_379-hamlin , ” [she]_171-anne answered sadly . “_[0-i] It is a wretched mistake , but not so bad a one for [yourself]_0-i as always to think [them]_577-people noble . ” [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} lent [Anne]_171-anne a number of books , and [he]_379-hamlin often came of an evening when [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was gone to [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s spiritual séances]_{6135-madame elaguine ’s spiritual séances} ( for despite [his]_379-hamlin scepticism [he]_379-hamlin found [himself]_379-hamlin attracted by the mysticism with which [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis had easily infected [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ) , and talked [them]_577-people over with [her]_{1267-his cousin} . [He]_379-hamlin took [her]_171-anne also to hear the lectures of [a friend of [his]_379-hamlin]_{6137-a friend of his} , [a red‐haired young man of genius , dying of consumption , who had for truth and righteousness a passion such as other men]_{6138-a red‐haired young man of genius , dying of consumption , who had for truth and righteousness a passion such as other men} may have for sport , and who was [the chief preacher of the secular and scientific religion with which [Brown]_{223-richard brown} was imbued , and with which [he]_{223-richard brown} was seeking to imbue [Anne]_171-anne]_{6139-the chief preacher of the secular and scientific religion with which brown was imbued , and with which he was seeking to imbue anne} . [Anne]_171-anne was not so quick in being converted as [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} had expected ; [she]_171-anne was slow of thought , and [her]_171-anne earnestness , [her]_171-anne honesty , perhaps also a painful remembrance of so many other deluded hopes , made [her]_171-anne sceptical . But , little by little , [Anne]_171-anne was converted ; and , as [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} had foretold , [she]_171-anne was happier . [The world]_{496-the world} and its contradictions became simpler in [her]_171-anne eyes , and [she]_171-anne became once more confident of good . Moreover , what [Brown]_171-anne never guessed , [her]_171-anne new faith in the triumph of right , [her]_171-anne new belief in the necessity of doing [one]_620-one ’s duty for the sake of [mankind]_5019-mankind and of progress , had at once given [her]_171-anne a more serene determination to accomplish [her]_171-anne duty towards [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; and , what was more important , it had taken away [her]_171-anne thoughts a little from [her]_171-anne own position of impotence and isolation and probable degradation . And perhaps , unconsciously also to [Anne]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne felt less isolated now : [she]_171-anne felt as if in [this rough , brutal , vain philanthropist]_{6145-this rough , brutal , vain philanthropist} , who was so honest , for all [his]_{6145-this rough , brutal , vain philanthropist} petty vanity , and who was so desirous of [her]_171-anne good , despite all [his]_{6145-this rough , brutal , vain philanthropist} former contemptuousness , [she]_171-anne had gained what [she]_171-anne had never had , and had yet always vaguely wanted,—some one for [her]_171-anne to understand and to understand [her]_171-anne , to help and be helped by — not an ideal being to adore as [she]_171-anne had adored [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , but [a good , wholesome , strong reality whom [she]_171-anne could love as [a brother]_{6147-a brother}]_{6146-a good , wholesome , strong reality whom she could love as a brother} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i owe a great deal to [you]_2840-you , dear old [Dick]_379-hamlin , ” [she]_0-i said one day , taking [his]_2840-you hand ; “_[379-hamlin] [I]_0-i am so glad [I]_0-i would not let [you]_2840-you continue to despise [me]_0-i . ” [Brown]_171-anne flushed , and [his]_2840-you cynical smile failed [him]_2840-you . “_[2840-you] Despise [you]_0-i ? Oh [Anne]_171-anne , how could [I]_0-i — ” [he]_2840-you exclaimed . But suddenly [he]_2840-you checked [himself]_2840-you . END OF THE SECOND VOLUME . WHILE [Anne]_171-anne was being indoctrinated with [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ’s philosophical theories , [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had little by little let [himself]_379-hamlin be drawn into [the little clique of more mystical and Bohemian pre‐Raphaelites whom [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis had collected round [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine}]_{6149-the little clique of more mystical and bohemian pre‐raphaelites whom edmund lewis had collected round madame elaguine} . [The old‐fashioned , long‐established æsthetes , who believed that artistic salvation resided solely in [themselves]_{6150-the old‐fashioned , long‐established æsthetes , who believed that artistic salvation resided solely in themselves and their kith and kin , and who strangely muddled together the theories of an esoteric school and the prejudice of the untravelled briton} and [their]_{6150-the old‐fashioned , long‐established æsthetes , who believed that artistic salvation resided solely in themselves and their kith and kin , and who strangely muddled together the theories of an esoteric school and the prejudice of the untravelled briton} kith and kin , and who strangely muddled together the theories of [an esoteric school]_{6151-an esoteric school} and the prejudice of [the untravelled Briton]_{6152-the untravelled briton}]_{6150-the old‐fashioned , long‐established æsthetes , who believed that artistic salvation resided solely in themselves and their kith and kin , and who strangely muddled together the theories of an esoteric school and the prejudice of the untravelled briton} , decidedly set [their]_{6150-the old‐fashioned , long‐established æsthetes , who believed that artistic salvation resided solely in themselves and their kith and kin , and who strangely muddled together the theories of an esoteric school and the prejudice of the untravelled briton} face against [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . [They]_{6150-the old‐fashioned , long‐established æsthetes , who believed that artistic salvation resided solely in themselves and their kith and kin , and who strangely muddled together the theories of an esoteric school and the prejudice of the untravelled briton} had not liked [Anne Brown]_171-anne because [she]_171-anne was not sufficiently engaging ; but [they]_{6150-the old‐fashioned , long‐established æsthetes , who believed that artistic salvation resided solely in themselves and their kith and kin , and who strangely muddled together the theories of an esoteric school and the prejudice of the untravelled briton} thoroughly hated [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha because [she]_386-sacha was too fascinating . “_{[2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman]} [A nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} , ” said [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , who was [the spokeswoman of the party]_{6153-the spokeswoman of the party} ; “_{[2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman]} [a woman with no sense of responsibility whatever]_{2842-a woman with no sense of responsibility whatever} . Did [you]_2843-you hear the way in which [she]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} spoke of [those horrible French painters]_{2844-those horrible french painters} ? That [she]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} actually dared to talk to [papa]_3893-papa about that [Monsieur Page]_{422-monsieur page} , vulgar , base creature that [he]_{422-monsieur page} is ! ” And [the older people]_{6154-the older people} , and [the women of the æsthetic world]_{6155-the women of the æsthetic world} — [the spinsters with dishevelled locks and overflowing hearts]_{6156-the spinsters with dishevelled locks and overflowing hearts} , who kept little garlanded lamps before the photographs of [puny English painters and booted and red‐shirted American poets]_{6157-puny english painters and booted and red‐shirted american poets} , all agreed with [her]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} . But [the younger men]_{6158-the younger men} merely laughed , and neglected [the solemn , smut‐engrained parlours of [Bloomsbury]_{82-bloomsbury}]_{6159-the solemn , smut‐engrained parlours of bloomsbury} , [the chilly , ascetic studios of [Hampstead]_83-hampstead]_{6160-the chilly , ascetic studios of hampstead} , for [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s curious , disorderly , charming house in [Kensington]_{114-kensington}]_{6161-madame elaguine ’s curious , disorderly , charming house in kensington} — [the house patched up with old lodging‐house]_{6162-the house patched up with old lodging‐house} furniture and all manner of Eastern stuffs and brocades , crowded with [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ’s nick‐nacks , strewn with French novels and poems , and redolent of cigarettes and Russian perfumes . For there was in [this delicate , nervous little creature]_{6164-this delicate , nervous little creature} , eaten up with love of excitement , something which acted as a spell upon [most men]_{2506-most men} ; and it was curious to see how [she]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} managed to make [them]_{2506-most men} all in love with [her]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} , and at the same time excite no jealousy . “_{[2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman]} Do [you]_2846-you think [Circe]_177-circe ’s pigs were jealous of [each other]_{594-each other} ? ” asked [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , when this peculiarity was pointed out to [her]_{288-mrs spencer} by [Chough]_379-hamlin . “_[177-circe] Reduce [people]_577-people to a certain level , and [they]_577-people will be satisfied with equality . ” [Lewis]_353-lewis explained it as being due to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s magnetic power . Whether [the Russian]_{413-the russian} had been fully converted to [his]_353-lewis spiritualistic theories , or , indeed , whether it was possible to make [her]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} believe seriously in anything , it is impossible to say . But [she]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} had caught the spiritualistic infection from [Lewis]_353-lewis as a tinder catches fire . Nothing in [the world]_{496-the world} could suit [her]_0-i better : spiritualism appealed to [her]_0-i love of excitement and mystery , to an idealistic and mystical strain which made [her]_0-i hanker after strange supersensuous contacts and occult affinities ; moreover , if ever there was [a woman of whom one might believe that [she]_0-i could vibrate with disembodied passion , and come in contact with [an uncorporeal world]_{6168-an uncorporeal world}]_{6167-a woman of whom one might believe that she could vibrate with disembodied passion , and come in contact with an uncorporeal world} , it was [this emaciated , nervous , hysterical creature , who lived off coffee and cigarettes , and lived , as it seemed]_{6169-this emaciated , nervous , hysterical creature , who lived off coffee and cigarettes , and lived , as it seemed} , only with [her]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} restless mind , and not at all with [her]_{2841-a nasty , ignorant , frivolous little woman} frail , incapable body . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i feel sometimes , ” [she]_0-i would say to [[her]_0-i friends]_{1459-her friends} , “_[0-i] as if [I]_0-i mixed with the living as smoke mingles with air — seeing [them]_2849-them move before [me]_0-i , but unable to clutch them or be clutched by [them]_2849-them , coming in contact only with [their]_2849-them passions . [I]_0-i feel as if [I]_0-i could more easily live with the dead — mix more easily with [them]_2849-them . It is terrible . [I]_0-i sometimes fancy that [I]_0-i shall fall in love with [some dead creature]_{2850-some dead creature} , and [my]_0-i life be sucked away by him,”—and [she]_0-i gave a little shudder . [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough listened spell‐bound with admiration , twisting and untwisting [his]_6171-his long black whiskers . What [a woman]_{3960-a woman} was this ! And [he]_6171-his ruminated over a new chapter of [his]_6171-his Triumph of Womanhood , of which [Sacha Elaguine—“Sacha]_{423-sacha[0-i]} quite short , ” as [she]_423-sacha bade [[her]_423-sacha friends]_{1459-her friends} call [her]_423-sacha — should be [the heroine]_{1997-the heroine} . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis smiled [his]_353-lewis sensual lazy smile , which [one]_620-one knew that [he]_353-lewis imagined to be the prototype of the cruel and lustful mysterious smile of [the men]_{4543-the men} and [women]_3959-women , and creatures neither one nor the other or both , who came from beneath [his]_353-lewis fantastic pencil . “_[0-i] Has it never occurred to [you]_2851-you , ” [he]_353-lewis said , in [his]_353-lewis luscious voice , stooping over [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s chair , “_[0-i] that [you]_2851-you may rather be a dead creature [yourself]_2851-you — [a vampire]_{2293-a vampire} come to suck out [some one]_{1380-some one} ’s life‐blood ? ” “_{[2293-a vampire]} Confound that [Lewis]_353-lewis ! ” thought [Chough]_248-chough . “_[353-lewis] Why must such ideas occur to [him]_353-lewis , [a mere damned painter]_{2854-a mere damned painter} , and not to [me]_0-i , who am [a poet]_{498-a poet} ? ” and [he]_353-lewis made a note of [the vampire]_{6178-the vampire} . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was standing by , smoking [his]_379-hamlin cigarette sullenly . [He]_379-hamlin did not like these sort of liberties which [Lewis]_353-lewis took with [[his]_353-lewis cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ; [he]_353-lewis had even of late warned [her]_{1267-his cousin} that , although [[his]_353-lewis friend]_{696-his friend} was [an excellent fellow]_{6181-an excellent fellow} , too great intimacy with [him]_{696-his friend} might prove disagreeable to [her]_{1267-his cousin} . “_{[498-a poet]} What a carrion‐feeding fancy [you]_353-lewis have , [Lewis]_353-lewis ! ” [he]_353-lewis exclaimed , frowning . “_[353-lewis] [One]_620-one would think [you]_353-lewis lived on corpses , in order to be more in harmony with those beasts of spirits of [yours]_353-lewis . ” [Lewis]_353-lewis laughed triumphantly ; but [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , to [his]_353-lewis amazement , cut [him]_353-lewis short by saying — “_[353-lewis] [Your]_353-lewis idea may be very amusing , [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} ; but [I]_0-i do n’t think it is exactly the style of thing for [a man]_{503-a man} to say to [a woman]_{3960-a woman} . ” [Lewis]_353-lewis , who was never abashed , merely raised [his]_353-lewis eyebrows . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i thought [you]_353-lewis were superior to [your]_353-lewis sex , ” [he]_353-lewis answered . “_[0-i] If [Lewis]_353-lewis dare to talk to [you]_353-lewis like that , ” whispered [Hamlin]_379-hamlin to [Sacha]_423-sacha , “_[353-lewis] [I]_0-i shall horsewhip [him]_353-lewis one of these days . ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} pressed [his]_353-lewis fingers in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} little hot hand . “_[353-lewis] [You]_353-lewis are good , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} answered , in what was like the buzz of a gnat , but infinitely caressing ; “_[353-lewis] but poor [Lewis]_353-lewis means no harm : [he]_353-lewis is very bon enfant . [You]_353-lewis are too pure and proud to understand [other men]_{1485-other men} . Ah , [Anne]_171-anne is [a happy woman]_{2860-a happy woman} ! ” The last words were scarcely more than a little sigh to [herself]_171-anne ; but [Hamlin]_379-hamlin caught them , and reddened . “_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne is very cold , ” [he]_353-lewis said briefly ; then added , as if to justify [himself]_353-lewis in [his]_353-lewis own eyes—“I_[171-anne] suppose all very passionate natures are . ” [Sacha]_423-sacha shook [her]_423-sacha little thin childish head . “_[171-anne] Oh no — not all . ” [Miss Brown]_171-anne went but rarely to [the house of [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin}]_{6182-the house of hamlin ’s cousin} . [She]_171-anne was extremely sorry for [the poor little woman]_{6184-the poor little woman} ’s misfortunes ; and asking [herself]_171-anne what [she]_171-anne would have been had [she]_171-anne had [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s past , [she]_171-anne often admired how [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} had kept [her]_{6184-the poor little woman} independence and self‐respect , and serenity and cheerfulness . Yet , while [she]_171-anne believed [herself]_171-anne fully to appreciate [Sacha]_423-sacha , and invariably defended [her]_423-sacha against the jealous prudery of [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} and [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} clique]_{6186-her clique} , [Anne]_171-anne somehow felt no desire to see much of [her]_423-sacha . [She]_171-anne set it down to [her]_171-anne own narrowness and coldness of temper . “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i am too one‐sided to have [friends]_4095-friends , ” [she]_0-i used to say to [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} ; “_[0-i] [I]_0-i feel that [I]_0-i do n’t do justice enough to [people]_577-people , however much [I]_0-i try , and that [my]_0-i heart does not go out to meet [them]_577-people enough . [I]_0-i think [I]_0-i would do [my]_0-i best for [them]_577-people ; but [I]_0-i ca n’t love [them]_577-people or be loved . ” [Poor Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} was silent . [Anne]_171-anne — [this beautiful noble , distant , somewhat inscrutable [Anne]_171-anne]_{6187-this beautiful noble , distant , somewhat inscrutable anne} — was [the idol of [the enthusiastic Irish girl]_{6189-the enthusiastic irish girl}]_{6188-the idol of the enthusiastic irish girl} . [She]_171-anne had often longed to tell [her]_2863-her so ; [she]_171-anne longed , at this moment , to put [her]_171-anne arms round [Anne]_171-anne ’s neck , and say quite quietly—“I_[2863-her] love [you]_2863-her , [Anne]_171-anne ; ” but [she]_171-anne had not the courage . How much may this sort of cowardice , called reticence , cheat [people]_577-people of ? The knowledge that there is a loving heart near one , that there is [a creature whom [one]_620-one can trust]_{6191-a creature whom one can trust} , that [the world]_{496-the world} is not a desert,—all this might be given , but is not . And the other regrets , perhaps throughout life , that word which remained unspoken , that kiss which remained ungiven , and would have been as the draught of water to [the wearied traveller]_{6194-the wearied traveller} . Anyhow [Anne]_171-anne , while thinking that [she]_171-anne liked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , somehow did not care to see much of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . What [she]_171-anne could do for [her]_{360-madame elaguine} [she]_171-anne did willingly . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} wanted [the child]_{660-the child} to learn English , but made a fuss about letting [her]_{660-the child} have [a governess]_{2497-a governess} . “_[171-anne] [[My]_0-i child]_{2725-my child} ’s mind must be [my]_0-i own mind , ” [she]_0-i said . But as [she]_171-anne went on grieving at [little Helen]_415-helen ’s ignorance , and [her]_171-anne own incapacity , from want of schooling and want of strength , to teach [her]_{660-the child} , [Anne]_171-anne offered to teach [the child]_{660-the child} together with [the little Chough girls , who were still [[her]_171-anne pupils]_{5338-her pupils}]_{6198-the little chough girls , who were still her pupils} . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was rapturously grateful ; but [Helen]_415-helen was so completely spoilt , that [she]_415-helen could be brought to [Anne]_171-anne only when [she]_171-anne fancied it [herself]_171-anne , and [Anne]_171-anne found [her]_415-helen so demoralised that [she]_171-anne really did not like to bring [her]_415-helen in contact with [the Choughs]_{367-the little choughs} . “_[0-i] When [poor little Helen]_415-helen is ten , then [you]_2865-you must moralise [her]_415-helen , ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} would say ; and [Helen]_415-helen was within week of being ten , and [Anne]_171-anne , much as [she]_171-anne disliked asking [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} anything , urged that [she]_171-anne should begin to be taught . Moreover , [Anne]_171-anne ’s time was too much taken up reading under [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s directions , and [her]_171-anne thoughts were too much preoccupied to make [her]_171-anne feel at all sociable , even had [she]_171-anne not felt an instinctive repugnance to the sort of company , headed by [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , which [she]_171-anne knew [she]_171-anne would meet at [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s . However , one evening [she]_171-anne could not refuse [Sacha]_423-sacha ’s invitation , more especially as [the latter]_{6200-the latter} , evidently to please [Anne]_171-anne , had invited [[her]_171-anne friends]_{1459-her friends} [the two Leighs]_{6202-the two leighs} . It was a grand spiritualistic séance . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was in great excitement , and [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis was radiant . But [Hamlin]_379-hamlin looked bored and pressed . “_[2865-you] [I]_0-i hate all this vulgar twaddle of spiritualism , ” [he]_379-hamlin said impatiently to [Anne]_171-anne . [Anne]_171-anne loathed it : the triviality disgusted [her]_171-anne , the giving up of [one]_620-one ’s will to [another]_5884-another revolted [her]_171-anne , and [she]_171-anne could not understand how [a woman]_{3960-a woman} could endure to be handled and breathed upon by [a man like [Lewis]_353-lewis]_{6206-a man like lewis} . [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} was half excited and half amused ; [Marjory]_249-marjory , [the strong‐minded scoffer]_{6207-the strong‐minded scoffer} , had determined to unmask some sort of trickery . The séance , to which [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis had brought [a famous professional medium]_{6208-a famous professional medium} , was very much like any other séance : [a darkened room]_{6209-a darkened room} , a company of [people partly excited , partly bored]_{6210-people partly excited , partly bored} ; expectation , disappointment , faith , incredulity ; moving of tables and rapping , faint music , half visible hands . “_[0-i] The whole boxful , machinery complete , all the newest tricks , eighteenpence , ” as [little Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} fiippantly remarked to [Anne]_171-anne . How could [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} have patience with such rubbish ? wondered [Miss Brown]_171-anne . What excitement could [that excitement‐loving little woman]_{6211-that excitement‐loving little woman} , with a real mystery in [her]_{6211-that excitement‐loving little woman} own life , find in all this stale shibboleth ? “_[2866-you] [You]_2866-you ca n’t think what a strange , delightful sensation [I]_0-i have at these moments , ” said [Sacha]_423-sacha to [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , as [her]_0-i little soft hand touched [his]_379-hamlin . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i seem to feel the whole current of [your]_2866-you life streaming through [me]_0-i , and mingling with [mine]_0-i . It is like an additional sense . Do [you]_2866-you understand that , [Anne]_171-anne ? ” “_[2866-you] No , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , briefly . “_[2866-you] [I]_0-i feel [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s fingers touching [mine]_0-i , and that ’s all . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin somehow admired [Anne]_171-anne ’s answer ; [he]_145-hamlin was glad it was so,—had [she]_171-anne felt like [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , something would have spoilt in an ideal of [his]_145-hamlin ; and yet [Anne]_171-anne ’s coldness annoyed [him]_145-hamlin . “_[145-hamlin] [The spirits]_{2867-the spirits} are reluctant ; there are too many sceptics in [the room]_{574-the room} , ” said [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , angrily . “_{[2867-the spirits]} Great as is the power of some of [us]_2869-us — as , for instance , of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} — [I]_0-i feel that there is something acting as a non‐conductor,—some very chilly nature here . ” But nevertheless , when [the company]_{1514-the company} was giving up the séance as spoilt , mysterious sounds were heard , and something luminous , which was immediately identified as a pair of spirit‐hands , was seen to float over the table . “_{[424-spirit‐hands]} [Spirit‐hands]_{424-spirit‐hands} ! ” whispered [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . “_{[424-spirit‐hands]} Wash‐leather gloves painted over with luminous paint , ” whispered [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} . “_{[424-spirit‐hands]} A wreath ! ” whispered [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . Something round , like a wreath , did seem to float , supported by [the spirit‐hands]_{6214-the spirit‐hands} . [Some]_5035-some said it was oak , others cypress , others myrtle ; but it soon became apparent that it was bay . “_{[424-spirit‐hands]} For [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ! ” whispered [the guests]_{4917-the guests} to [each other]_{594-each other} . The wreath floated unsteadily over the heads of [the party]_{1060-the party} ; but , as it passed [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , [that evil‐minded young materialist]_{6219-that evil‐minded young materialist} quickly snatched at it , but it was whisked away by the indignant spirits . There was a murmur of indignation ; but indignation turned into triumph when suddenly the wreath reappeared , and hovered for two good minutes over [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s head . There was a cry of admiration , and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} clapped [her]_{360-madame elaguine} hands . But [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory struck a light , and lit the candle by [her]_249-marjory side . [She]_249-marjory could see faintly [the excited faces all round]_{6220-the excited faces all round} , and among [them]_{6220-the excited faces all round} the pale face of [Anne Brown]_171-anne , scornful and angry , fixed upon that of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who was flushed , hesitating , surprised . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am glad [the spirits]_{2867-the spirits} have such good taste in poetry , ” said [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , quietly ; “_[0-i] but it is a pity that [they]_{2867-the spirits} should not have crowned [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , like [Petrarch]_425-petrarch and [Corinne]_426-corinne , with real laurels . ” And [she]_0-i stretched out something in the palm of [her]_0-i hand . [Every one]_{4712-every one} crowded round , and took it up by turns . It was a leaf , torn and broken , of green laurel which [she]_0-i had pulled off when the crown had passed over [her]_0-i ; but the green laurels were masses of stamped paper , and left a green stain in the hand . “_{[2867-the spirits]} It does smack a little of a French pensionnat de demoiselles distribution of prizes ; [you]_2871-you will get the little book dorésur tranches , ‘ Avec l’approbation de Monseigneur l’Archevêque de [Tours]_119-tours , ’ and ‘ Prix décerné à M. [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ’ written inside , at the next séance , ” cried [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} . “_[145-hamlin] Well , it is consoling to see how [[our]_2872-our beloved dead]_{2873-our beloved dead} keep up the simple habits of the living . ” There was a titter . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} burst out laughing . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin laughed , but [he]_145-hamlin looked black as thunder . “_[2874-you] [You]_2874-you brought that piece of green paper with [you]_2874-you ! ” cried [Lewis]_353-lewis furiously at [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory . “_[2874-you] [You]_2874-you brought it to insult and delude [us]_2872-our ! It is disgraceful . ” “_[0-i] [[My]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} [Lewis]_353-lewis , ” said [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} , gently , “_[0-i] remember that [you]_353-lewis are still [a gentleman]_{662-a gentleman} , and [not yet a spirit]_{2877-not yet a spirit} . ” “_{[662-a gentleman]} Had [I]_0-i known that there was to be any crowning , [I]_0-i should certainly have brought something better than paper laurels , ” said [Marjory]_249-marjory , fiercely . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i never thought [spirits]_2878-spirits were reduced to such expedients as these . ” The séance came to an end . The lamps were lit . [The medium]_{6222-the medium} dismissed with considerable contumely . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis went away in a huff ; and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , who cared in spiritualism only for those strange thrills which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had before described , laughed a great deal about the matter , and settled down to make music with [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked as if [he]_145-hamlin wished [himself]_145-hamlin a thousand miles away . [He]_145-hamlin would speak with [no one]_{3899-no one} ; [he]_145-hamlin was angry with [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} for having let [him]_145-hamlin in for such a ridiculous scene , and angry with [the rest of [the company]_{1514-the company}]_{5457-the rest of the company} for having witnessed it ; [he]_145-hamlin had no command over [his]_145-hamlin looks ; and while [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s curious , warm , childish voice throbbed passionately through [Schumann]_242-schumann ’s songs , or while [people]_577-people took [their]_577-people tea and talked , [he]_145-hamlin sat aside , in the doorway of [the next room]_{3870-the next room} , like [a whipped child]_{6229-a whipped child} . “_{[2878-spirits]} What [a baby]_{2747-a baby} [Walter]_145-hamlin is ! ” whispered [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , laughing , to [Chough]_248-chough . But [Anne]_171-anne did not laugh . [She]_171-anne felt the humiliation not of the paper laurels , but of that radiant look which [she]_171-anne had seen in [Hamlin]_145-hamlin when the lights had first been lit . And [she]_171-anne was indignant with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin for taking this ridiculous business so tragically , and at the same time sorry for [his]_145-hamlin poor , wounded , unsympathised‐with vanity . [She]_171-anne left the piano , where [she]_171-anne had been sitting near [Sacha]_423-sacha , and went to [him]_145-hamlin where [he]_145-hamlin sat disconsolately looking over a heap of newspapers in [the next room]_{3870-the next room} . [She]_171-anne did not allude to the scene . What use was it chiding [him]_145-hamlin ? [He]_145-hamlin could never understand . [She]_171-anne talked to [him]_145-hamlin about the picture which [he]_145-hamlin was painting , about [the people]_{871-the people} , anything to make [him]_145-hamlin feel that [she]_171-anne was sorry for [him]_145-hamlin . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was bitter against [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} ; [he]_145-hamlin began once more [his]_145-hamlin tirades against modern art and poetry , its lifelessness and weakness ; [he]_145-hamlin again declared [himself]_145-hamlin longing for a different life ; [he]_145-hamlin again , passionately and delicately , called upon [Anne]_171-anne , in [his]_145-hamlin veiled way , to redeem [him]_145-hamlin . [Anne]_171-anne listened sadly . [She]_171-anne knew it all so well by heart , this vain talk which was to be the daily bread of [her]_171-anne soul . Suddenly [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s eye fell upon [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , who was seated talking with [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} in the recess of a window . “_{[2878-spirits]} [I]_0-i wonder [you]_2880-you can endure [that girl]_{3982-that girl} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ! ” [he]_145-hamlin cried , “_{[2878-spirits]} much less make [her]_{3982-that girl} [[your]_2880-you friend]_{4335-your friend} . ” “_{[249-marjory]} [Marjory]_249-marjory may sometimes be rude , and it was perhaps not very good manners to interrupt the séance as [she]_249-marjory did , although [I]_0-i quite sympathise with [her]_249-marjory ; but [she]_249-marjory is [a capital girl]_{2883-a capital girl} , and just [one of the most trustworthy persons [I]_0-i know]_{2884-one of the most trustworthy persons i know} . ” “_{[249-marjory]} [She]_249-marjory is [a humbug]_{2885-a humbug} ! ” exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , crossly and violently . “_{[249-marjory]} Does n’t [she]_249-marjory set up for philanthropy , and self‐sacrifice , and all that ? and then [she]_249-marjory goes to parties dressed in that way — a fit beginning for [the wife of [an East End curate]_{2887-an east end curate}]_{2886-the wife of an east end curate} , for [a man like [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett}]_{2888-a man like harry collett} ! ” “_{[249-marjory]} [Marjory]_249-marjory ’s dress does not cost more than [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ’s coats , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , quietly . “_{[249-marjory]} [[You]_2889-you men]_{2890-you men} never understand such things , and think because [a girl]_{4122-a girl} ’s dress is showy that it is expensive . Of course [Marjory]_249-marjory does n’t wear æsthetic things , and it would be absurd if [she]_249-marjory did ; but [I]_0-i happen to know that [she]_249-marjory made that particular dress entirely with [her]_249-marjory own hands . ” “_{[249-marjory]} [I]_0-i know nothing about the dress , except that [a wife of [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ’s]_{2892-a wife of harry collett ’s} should not go about like a peacock . But [I]_0-i do know , ” cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , fiercely , “_[0-i] that it is disgraceful for [a girl engaged to marry]_{2893-a girl engaged to marry} , and to marry [a man like [Harry]_{376-harry collett}]_{2894-a man like harry} , to sit the whole evening in a corner , letting [a jackanapes like [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly}]_{2895-a jackanapes like o’reilly} make love to [her]_249-marjory . ” “_{[295-o’reilly]} [Marjory]_249-marjory has been sitting with [Mr O’Reilly]_{2896-mr o’reilly} only about ten minutes , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , indignantly , “_{[249-marjory]} and [she]_249-marjory has known [him]_{2896-mr o’reilly} ever since [they]_2897-they were [babies]_2746-babies . [I]_0-i think it is too ridiculous if [a girl]_{4122-a girl} ca n’t talk to [a young man at a party]_{2900-a young man at a party} without being treated as if [she]_{4122-a girl} were committing an infidelity . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t say that [any other girl]_{2901-any other girl} talking to [any other young man]_{2902-any other young man} is to blame , ” said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , still hotly ; “_[0-i] but [I]_0-i say that [a woman who can let [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} flirt with [her]_{2903-a woman who can let o’reilly flirt with her throughout the evening} throughout the evening]_{2903-a woman who can let o’reilly flirt with her throughout the evening} is [no wife for [Collett]_{376-harry collett}]_{2904-no wife for collett} ; and [I]_0-i have a good mind to write and tell [him]_{2896-mr o’reilly} so , ” and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked dignified . [Anne]_171-anne did not answer at first . [She]_171-anne was filled with contempt for [this vain childish ill‐humour]_{6233-this vain childish ill‐humour} , which was taking the proportions of rabid hatred . “_[0-i] [Marjory]_249-marjory is [[my]_0-i friend]_{2593-my friend} , ” [she]_0-i at last said , “_{[249-marjory]} and [I]_0-i think that the less [you]_0-i talk such nonsense as about writing to [Mr Collett]_{427-mr collett} , the better . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will , upon [my]_0-i word ! ” exclaimed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_[0-i] [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory is [a friend of [yours]_0-i]_{2906-a friend of yours} , but [she]_249-marjory is [an infamous flirt all the same]_{2907-an infamous flirt all the same} ! ” “_{[249-marjory]} Why does [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin glare at [me]_0-i like that ? ” asked [Marjory of Anne]_428-anne a little later . “_[145-hamlin] [One]_620-one would think it was [my]_0-i fault that [the spirits]_{2867-the spirits} crowned [him]_{427-mr collett} with paper laurels and not with bay‐leaves . ” [ANNE]_428-anne had forgotten all about the séance , when , about a week later , [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} arrived at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} in a state of extreme excitement . “_{[2867-the spirits]} What is the matter , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} ? ” asked [Anne]_428-anne , wondering at [her]_{324-mary leigh} flushed face , which was usually so quiet . “_{[324-mary leigh]} Nothing — nothing , ” said [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , looking impatiently at [some visitors who were present]_{6234-some visitors who were present} . “_{[324-mary leigh]} [I]_0-i spoilt two copper plates this morning , and shall have no etchings worth exhibiting . [I]_0-i suppose that has put [me]_0-i out of sorts . ” But [the visitors]_{5424-the visitors} had scarcely turned [their]_{5424-the visitors} backs , when [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} turned suddenly towards [Miss Brown]_171-anne . “_[0-i] Oh [Anne]_171-anne dear , a dreadful , shameful thing has happened ! and [I]_0-i have come to [you]_171-anne to know what it means , because [I]_0-i ca n’t help thinking that [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has had something to do with it , and poor [Marjory]_249-marjory is so miserable . ” “_{[249-marjory]} What is it ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , a vague terror coming over [her]_171-anne . “_{[249-marjory]} Why , [Marjory]_249-marjory got this letter to‐day from [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ; [he]_145-hamlin has been staying with [[his]_145-hamlin mother]_{5488-his mother} at [Wotton]_94-wotton for the last week . Read it , and [you]_171-anne will understand . ” [Miss Brown]_171-anne took the letter , evidently much pulled about and read and re‐read , from [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , and smoothed it out and read it slowly ; while [[her]_171-anne friend]_{6236-her friend} sat by , looking anxiously at [her]_171-anne face . The letter was from [Marjory]_249-marjory ’s intended . [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} told [her]_171-anne , with a dignity and gentleness , a desire not to hurt [the one who had hurt [him]_145-hamlin]_{6237-the one who had hurt him} , and an incapacity of hiding [his]_145-hamlin great pain , which nearly made [Anne]_171-anne cry , that [his]_145-hamlin eyes had at length been opened to the undesirableness of a marriage which , however much wished for by [him]_145-hamlin , could not satisfy all the claims of a nature [llke Marjory]_249-marjory ’s . “_[171-anne] Much as [I]_0-i have looked forward to [our]_2911-our marriage , ” wrote [poor Harry]_{376-harry collett} , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i could not possibly be happy if [I]_0-i suspected that it did not give [you]_2912-you everything which [you]_2912-you have a right to require from life . [I]_0-i thank [God]_195-god for having sent [me]_0-i a warning in time , for having let [me]_0-i understand what [your]_2912-you generosity and [my]_0-i infatuation would have hidden to [me]_0-i — namely , that [your]_2912-you thoughts have , despite [your]_2912-you will , turned elsewhere ; that [your]_2912-you nature requires a life of greater cheerfulness and variety than [I]_0-i could hope to give it . And , indeed , [I]_0-i am beginning also to understand that [I]_0-i was trying to reconcile the irreconcilable — that [a man who has elected a life among the poor]_{2913-a man who has elected a life among the poor} , has no right to share [its]_2914-its privations with [any one]_{4101-any one} , much less with [any one dear to [him]_{2913-a man who has elected a life among the poor}]_{2916-any one dear to him} ; and [I]_0-i see that [I]_0-i was on the verge of committing the sin of sacrificing [your]_2912-you happiness to [my]_0-i vocation , or rather to [my]_0-i unmanly desire to have the hardness of [my]_0-i vocation sweetened at [your]_2912-you expense . Please do not fancy that [I]_0-i think at all badly of [you]_2912-you ; [I]_0-i think badly only of [my]_0-i own blindness . ” But [the poor curate]_{6238-the poor curate} ’s angelic nature could not resist the temptation of a fling at [[his]_{6238-the poor curate} supposed rival]_{6239-his supposed rival} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am only surprised — but [my]_0-i surprise may be due to [my]_0-i ignorance , ” [he]_{6238-the poor curate} added , “_[0-i] at [the person who engrosses [your]_2912-you thoughts]_{2917-the person who engrosses your thoughts} . [I]_0-i should never have thought [you]_2912-you could seriously care for [a shallow creature like [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly}]_{2918-a shallow creature like o’reilly} . [I]_0-i wish [you]_2912-you to be happy , but [I]_0-i fear [you]_2912-you will not be solidly happy with [him]_{2918-a shallow creature like o’reilly} . ” “_[0-i] Do [you]_2912-you understand ? ” cried [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , impatiently ; “_{[1380-some one]} [some one]_{1380-some one} has written to [Harry]_{376-harry collett} some horrid lies about [Marjory]_249-marjory and [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} . Oh , [I]_0-i think it is too shameful ! [Marjory]_249-marjory , who has not seen [Thaddy O’Reilly]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} more than twice in the last six months ; and , ” added [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , with an agony in [her]_0-i voice , “_{[249-marjory]} [I]_0-i fear — oh , [I]_0-i fear — [Anne]_171-anne , that it must have been [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin who did it . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not look up from the letter . [She]_171-anne was very white , and [her]_171-anne face full of shame . “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i fear it must , ” [she]_171-anne answered , half audibly . “_[145-hamlin] But what is the meaning of it ? ” cried [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} . “_[171-anne] What can [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin know about the matter ? Why , [he]_145-hamlin scarcely ever sees [Marjory]_249-marjory . [I]_0-i do n’t believe [he]_145-hamlin had seen [her]_249-marjory for nearly six weeks before that party at [Madame Elaguine ’s]_{360-madame elaguine} . Oh , [Anne]_171-anne , do [you]_171-anne think it is [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , [that horrid little Russian]_{2920-that horrid little russian} , who did it ? ” “_{[360-madame elaguine]} Oh no , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , quickly , “_{[360-madame elaguine]} [I]_0-i know [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha has not done it ; [I]_0-i do n’t believe [she]_386-sacha is capable of doing it . ” “_[386-sacha] Then [you]_171-anne think ? . . . ” “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i fear — [I]_0-i fear [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin did it . ” There was a dead silence . Poor [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} was torn by [her]_{324-mary leigh} indignation for [[her]_{324-mary leigh} sister]_{603-her sister} , and [her]_{324-mary leigh} pain at the shame cast upon [her]_{324-mary leigh} admired [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and through [him]_145-hamlin upon [her]_{324-mary leigh} adored [Anne]_171-anne . “_[145-hamlin] What can [I]_0-i do ? If only [I]_0-i knew the grounds of the accusation , ” [she]_0-i said desperately , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know [I]_0-i could explain [them]_2921-them away to [Harry]_{376-harry collett} . [I]_0-i know that [Marjory]_249-marjory could , but [she]_249-marjory wo n’t . ” “_{[249-marjory]} Has [Marjory]_249-marjory not answered [Mr Collett]_{427-mr collett} ? ” [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} shook [her]_{324-mary leigh} head . “_{[249-marjory]} [Marjory]_249-marjory is too proud and self‐willed . [She]_249-marjory is disgusted with [Harry]_{376-harry collett} . [She]_249-marjory wo n’t hear [his]_{427-mr collett} name mentioned ; it is useless . Oh , it is dreadful to see people who care for [each other]_{594-each other} so much separated in this way , by a mere vile groundless calumny , which one can not even refute . ” [Anne]_171-anne passed [her]_171-anne hand across [her]_171-anne forehead . “_[145-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has done it , ” [she]_171-anne said slowly , and with an effort , “_[145-hamlin] and [he]_145-hamlin must undo it . ” “_[145-hamlin] How can one make [him]_145-hamlin undo such a thing ? ” cried [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} , hopelessly . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will tell [him]_145-hamlin that [he]_145-hamlin was wrong , and make [him]_145-hamlin write to [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} . ” “_[145-hamlin] Oh [Annie]_171-anne dear , [you]_171-anne are good”—and [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} threw [herself]_{324-mary leigh} on [Anne]_171-anne ’s neck—“for_[171-anne] [I]_0-i know how dreadful , how terrible it must be for [you]_171-anne to tell [him]_145-hamlin that [he]_145-hamlin has acted badly . ” “_[171-anne] It is not the first time , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , mournfully . “_[171-anne] Leave [me]_0-i the letter , will [you]_171-anne , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} dear ? ” [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} left the letter with [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; and that evening , as [Anne]_171-anne was sitting with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin after dinner , [she]_171-anne suddenly dashed into the subject . “_[171-anne] Do [you]_171-anne remember saying , the other night , at [[your]_171-anne cousin]_{4341-your cousin} ’s , that [you]_171-anne would write to [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} about the flirtation which [you]_171-anne took it upon [yourself]_171-anne to imagine between [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory and [Mr O’Reilly]_{2924-mr o’reilly} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked puzzled . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i remember something or other , ” [he]_145-hamlin said evasively . “_[0-i] Did [you]_171-anne write to [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ? ” “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i had occasion to write to [Collett]_{376-harry collett} about some books [I]_0-i had left at [Wotton]_94-wotton , and which [I]_0-i wanted [him]_{2924-mr o’reilly} to bring up to [town]_821-town on [his]_{2924-mr o’reilly} return . ” “_[0-i] But did [you]_171-anne mention about [Marjory]_249-marjory and [Mr O’Reilly]_{2926-mr o’reilly} ? ” “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i may have”—Hamlin spoke [absently—“yes]_{429-absently—“yes[171-anne]} , [I]_0-i suppose [I]_0-i did . What of it ? ” “_[171-anne] What of it ? ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , indignantly ; “_[171-anne] why , this much , that [you]_171-anne have made [two people]_{2927-two people} perfectly miserable , and that [Marjory]_249-marjory ’s marriage with [Mr Collett]_{427-mr collett} is broken off , ” and [she]_171-anne handed [him]_{427-mr collett} the letter . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked at it with an air of puzzled indifference . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t understand what it ’s all about , ” [he]_{427-mr collett} said , coolly and serenely , returning the letter to [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] Then [you]_171-anne did not say anything about [Marjory]_249-marjory to [Mr Collett]_{427-mr collett} ? ” “_[171-anne] Yes — [I]_0-i did — [I]_0-i certainly think [I]_0-i did . [I]_0-i ca n’t exactly remember what it was . [You]_171-anne know how [one]_620-one writes letters ; [one]_620-one forgets the next day . ” [Anne]_171-anne looked at [him]_{427-mr collett} with wonder . So after having , momentarily at least , made [two people]_{2927-two people} as unhappy as was well possible , this was how [he]_{427-mr collett} took the revelation of the results of [his]_{427-mr collett} doings . “_[145-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , sternly , “_[145-hamlin] [you]_145-hamlin know that [you]_145-hamlin never believed that [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory was really flirting with [O’Reilly]_{295-o’reilly} ; and [you]_145-hamlin know that [you]_145-hamlin wrote to [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} , and made [him]_145-hamlin believe that [she]_249-marjory cared for [another man]_{4053-another man} . ” “_[145-hamlin] [I]_0-i do n’t know anything about [Miss Leigh]_{332-miss leigh} ’s doings . [I]_0-i remember noticing [her]_249-marjory talking very assiduously that evening with [Thaddy]_{284-thaddy o’reilly} . Perhaps it was all fancy of [mine]_0-i ; [I]_0-i have no doubt it was . [I]_0-i just mentioned it to [Collett]_{376-harry collett} as [I]_0-i might mention anything else . [I]_0-i never dreamed that it would annoy [him]_145-hamlin . ” “_[0-i] [You]_0-i thought it would merely annoy [her]_249-marjory ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , reproachfully . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i really know nothing about the matter . [I]_0-i ’m not responsible for what [I]_0-i may have thought or written a week ago , much less for all these complications , which [I]_0-i never dreamed of . ” “_[0-i] Did [you]_0-i suppose , then , that [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} would be utterly indifferent to being given to understand that [Marjory]_249-marjory cared for [another man]_{4053-another man} , and was not [the fit wife]_{2932-the fit wife} for [an East End curate]_{2887-an east end curate} , as [you]_0-i expressed it ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t know . [I]_0-i wrote , and thought no more about it . If [they]_2934-they have gone and quarrelled about it , [I]_0-i ’m very sorry — and that ’s all [I]_0-i can say . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s tone was bored and slightly impatient . [He]_145-hamlin had evidently not the smallest shame or regret for what [he]_145-hamlin had done . “_[0-i] Since [you]_0-i are sorry — since [you]_0-i did write that to [Collett]_{376-harry collett} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , trying to speak as gently as [possible—“you]_{6242-possible—“you[0-i]} will , [I]_0-i trust , do what [you]_0-i can to repair this mischief . [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory is too indignant with [Harry]_{376-harry collett} to answer [him]_2935-him at all . Will [you]_0-i write to [him]_2935-him and tell [him]_2935-him that it was all a mistake — all owing to [your]_0-i having been annoyed with [Marjory]_249-marjory on account of that laurel crown business — and that there was no foundation for all [you]_0-i said ? [You]_0-i will make amends , wo n’t [you]_0-i ? Do write at once . ” [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had risen from [his]_145-hamlin seat , and [his]_145-hamlin face had taken a curious obstinate look . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i ’m very sorry [I]_0-i ca n’t obey [you]_0-i , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , “_[171-anne] but it appears to [me]_0-i that [you]_0-i wish [me]_0-i to write [myself]_0-i down [a liar]_{2201-a liar} . If [these people]_{2323-these people} choose to fall out because of a word of mine , [I]_0-i see no reason to apologise . It is [their]_{2323-these people} concern , not [mine]_0-i . ” “_[0-i] Was it [your]_0-i concern to write to [Collett]_{376-harry collett} , then ? Was it [your]_0-i concern to take such a responsibility ? ” “_[0-i] [Every one]_{4712-every one} may write whatever passes through [his]_{4712-every one} head . [I]_0-i thought [Miss Leigh]_{332-miss leigh} a flirt last week ; [I]_0-i do n’t now . As to responsibilities , [I]_0-i repudiate such things . ” “_[0-i] [No one]_{3899-no one} can repudiate such things , ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[3899-no one]} [You]_0-i have done mischief , and with a few strokes of the pen [you]_0-i can repair it . Oh , [you]_0-i must write , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin — [you]_0-i must . ” “_[145-hamlin] If [I]_0-i write , ” answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , hotly , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i shall just tell [Collett]_{376-harry collett} that [I]_0-i do think [Miss Leigh]_{332-miss leigh} a flirt . [I]_0-i can not refuse to write , but [I]_0-i refuse to eat [my]_0-i words . Have [you]_{376-harry collett} paper and a pen ? ” [He]_145-hamlin had gone to [Anne]_171-anne ’s writing‐table . [Anne]_171-anne put [her]_171-anne arm over it . “_{[376-harry collett]} [You]_{376-harry collett} have told a falsehood once , [you]_{376-harry collett} shall not tell it twice , ” [she]_171-anne said . “_{[376-harry collett]} [I]_0-i said that merely to show [you]_{376-harry collett} how impossible [your]_{376-harry collett} request was . After all , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} [Miss Brown]_171-anne , [a man]_{503-a man} does owe something to [himself]_{503-a man} and to [his]_{503-a man} name , and there is such a thing as proper pride . ” “_[171-anne] Is there ? ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , and the words were like drops of freezing water . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i thought , ” [she]_171-anne added , the remembrance of what [he]_{503-a man} had answered when [she]_171-anne had entreated [him]_{503-a man} not to slander [himself]_{503-a man} in those sonnets “_[0-i] Desire , ” “_{[2942-your school]} that [[your]_{376-harry collett} school]_{2942-your school} considered it legitimate for [a man]_{503-a man} to say that [he]_{503-a man} had committed no matter what baseness , even those which [he]_{503-a man} had not . But [I]_0-i see , ” and [Anne]_171-anne ’s indignation blazed up , “_[0-i] that [you]_{376-harry collett} want sometimes to be considered wicked , but that [you]_{376-harry collett} succeed only in being mean . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think that is a little hard upon [me]_0-i , ” [he]_{503-a man} answered mournfully and bitterly , and left [the room]_{574-the room} . [He]_{503-a man} was thinking of all [he]_{503-a man} had done for [Anne]_171-anne — all that [he]_{503-a man} had done and left undone . [Anne]_171-anne remained seated , looking into the fire , for some moments . Then [she]_171-anne went to [her]_171-anne desk and took paper and an envelope . “_[0-i] [DEAR MR COLLETT]_{427-mr collett} , ” [she]_171-anne wrote slowly , “_{[427-mr collett]} [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} has just shown [me]_0-i [your]_{427-mr collett} letter to [Marjory]_249-marjory , which has greatly shocked and grieved [me]_0-i . As [I]_0-i know that [the person who misled [you]_{427-mr collett} about [Marjory]_249-marjory and [Mr O’Reilly , between whom there has never been a shadow of a flirtation]_{2945-mr o’reilly , between whom there has never been a shadow of a flirtation}]_{2944-the person who misled you about marjory and mr o’reilly , between whom there has never been a shadow of a flirtation} , is [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [I]_0-i feel bound to tell [you]_{427-mr collett} , not only that to [my]_0-i knowledge [Marjory]_249-marjory has not seen [Mr O’Reilly]_{2946-mr o’reilly} except once since [your]_{427-mr collett} departure ; but also , as having been present on the occasion of the supposed flirtation , that [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin imagined the flirtation , and wrote to [you]_{427-mr collett} about it merely because [he]_145-hamlin was in an ill temper , and because [Marjory]_249-marjory had annoyed [him]_145-hamlin that evening by detecting a fraud in the spiritualistic séance in which [we]_2947-we were engaged . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has [himself]_145-hamlin just told [me]_0-i that [he]_145-hamlin does not any longer believe in the flirtation , and had no notion of creating any mischief . So , as [he]_145-hamlin is not writing to [you]_{427-mr collett} [himself]_145-hamlin , [I]_0-i feel bound to tell [you]_{427-mr collett} the real state of affairs , and [I]_0-i trust [you]_{427-mr collett} will immediately let [Marjory]_249-marjory know that [your]_{427-mr collett} suspicions were groundless , as [she]_249-marjory is very unhappy , and indignant with [your]_{427-mr collett} letter.—Believe [me]_0-i , dear [Mr Collett]_{427-mr collett} , [yours]_{427-mr collett} sincerely , [ANNE BROWN]_171-anne . ” [Anne]_171-anne stopped several times in course of writing , and read and re‐read [her]_171-anne letter . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had refused to make amends ; well , [she]_171-anne must make them for [him]_145-hamlin : the matter was simple , and it was [Anne]_171-anne ’s character , whenever [she]_171-anne saw the right course , to take it without hesitation , however painful to [her]_171-anne . Like [many very honest and firm people]_{6244-many very honest and firm people} , [she]_171-anne had something destructive in [her]_171-anne temper ; [she]_171-anne could , as [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha had said , sacrifice [herself]_171-anne and [others]_4163-others with a sort of sullen savage satisfaction . It was a humiliation for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , but [he]_145-hamlin had deserved it ; it was a bitter humiliation for [herself]_171-anne , but [her]_171-anne debt of gratitude towards [Hamlin]_145-hamlin forced [her]_171-anne to take the consequences of the bad that was in [him]_145-hamlin as well as the good . To admit that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had , from [mere womanish ill‐temper]_{6246-mere womanish ill‐temper} , calumniated [a friend]_{4706-a friend} , wantonly and thoughtlessly made two loving natures mistrust [each other]_{594-each other} , and that [he]_145-hamlin had then refused to repair the mischief of [his]_145-hamlin own making,—this was intolerably bitter to [Anne]_171-anne ; still it had to be done . [She]_171-anne put the letter on the hall table , and bade [the servant]_{4647-the servant} post it without delay . Then [she]_171-anne felt the full ignominy of the matter ; and [her]_171-anne whole nature recoiled from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s . Nay , it did not recoil ; there was no reality to shrink from . [Anne]_171-anne no longer felt horror as [she]_171-anne had done when [he]_145-hamlin had given [her]_171-anne that poem about [Cold Fremley]_{380-cold fremley} ; [she]_171-anne rccognised that [his]_145-hamlin fault was negative , that [his]_145-hamlin moral evil was moral nullity — the utter incapacity in [this man]_{1239-this man} , who had acted so chivalrously towards [her]_171-anne , of perceiving when [he]_145-hamlin was doing a mean thing . And the thought that [she]_171-anne would be chained for ever to the side of [a man whose whole nature was merely æsthetic , who was wholly without moral nerves or moral muscles]_{6251-a man whose whole nature was merely æsthetic , who was wholly without moral nerves or moral muscles} , filled [her]_171-anne with despair . The next day , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin sent word that [he]_145-hamlin had to go and see some pictures at [Oxford]_101-oxford , and would be away for two days . [Anne]_171-anne felt a vague hope that [he]_145-hamlin was ashamed of [himself]_145-hamlin . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} called , and with [her]_{360-madame elaguine} came [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough . The conversation , to [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s annoyance , turned upon the spiritualistic séance of the previous week . “_[171-anne] What [a fool]_{4435-a fool} [Walter]_145-hamlin is ! ” exclaimed [Sacha]_386-sacha . “_{[4435-a fool]} Fancy [his]_145-hamlin moping in a corner because the spirits crowned [him]_145-hamlin with paper laurels ! [I]_0-i ca n’t understand [a man]_{503-a man} not having more brass , not putting a better face on things . But [Walter]_145-hamlin is [a curious creature]_{2950-a curious creature} : in many respects [he]_145-hamlin is not [a man]_{503-a man} but [a child]_{623-a child} . [He]_145-hamlin has seen a great deal of life , and yet in many things [he]_145-hamlin is like [a girl of fifteen]_{2953-a girl of fifteen} . ” “_[145-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , evasively , “_[145-hamlin] has an essentially artistic nature ; the realities of [the world]_{496-the world} do n’t appeal much to [him]_145-hamlin . ” “_[145-hamlin] Unless [an artist]_{3956-an artist} feel the realities of [the world]_{496-the world} , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , eating some of the petals of the roses that were at [her]_{360-madame elaguine} elbow , “_[145-hamlin] [his]_145-hamlin art will be very thin . Life must stain [the artist]_{2957-the artist} with its colours , or [his]_145-hamlin art will be tintless . ” [Anne]_171-anne had often said those same words to [herself]_171-anne ; yet somehow [she]_171-anne knew that in [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha ’s mouth they had a different meaning ; and [she]_171-anne felt it , when , with [her]_171-anne curious , half‐childlike , and yet infinitely conscious smile , [she]_171-anne turned to [Chough]_248-chough . “_[145-hamlin] Do n’t [you]_145-hamlin think so , [Signor Cosmo]_{430-signor cosmo} ? ” [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough pretended that [he]_145-hamlin understood , as [he]_145-hamlin always did , whenever [he]_145-hamlin thought that passion and the Eternal Feminine were in question ; [he]_145-hamlin tightened [his]_145-hamlin black moustachioed lips into a long grimace , and bowed in deferential agreement . “_[145-hamlin] Of course , ” said [the little man]_{4944-the little man} , sticking [his]_{4944-the little man} single eye‐glass in [his]_{4944-the little man} eye , “_[145-hamlin] [we]_2958-we all know that [[our]_2958-we friend]_{2959-our friend} [Hamlin]_145-hamlin will never get out of life all that perfume , that narcotic and bitter‐sweet fiavour , which [some other men]_{2960-some other men} taste , to be poisoned for ever , with [their]_{2960-some other men} first mouthful of honey . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin is , in some respects , a little more and a little less than [a man]_{503-a man} . ” “_{[503-a man]} A goose , in short , ” laughed [Sacha]_386-sacha . “_{[503-a man]} [He]_145-hamlin is , purely and simply , [an artist]_{3956-an artist} . Passions , senses , all the things which belong to [other men]_{1485-other men} ’s personality , belong to [him]_145-hamlin only as factors of [his]_145-hamlin art . And this is perhaps not to be regretted , but to be rejoiced in . There is terrible danger of [the artist]_{2957-the artist} being swallowed up by [the man]_{757-the man} . Of [the poets whom [God]_195-god sends on [earth]_2819-earth]_{2966-the poets whom god sends on earth} , two‐thirds are lost to [mankind]_5019-mankind : [their]_5019-mankind passions , which should be merely so many means of communication between [their]_5019-mankind soul and [the universe]_{2969-the universe} , eat [them]_5019-mankind up ; or rather [they]_5019-mankind feed [themselves]_5019-mankind on what should become [the world]_{496-the world} ’s honey . And even of [those who are not lost entirely]_{2971-those who are not lost entirely} , how many are there not whose lives are engulfed by passions ; to whom , alas ! what [they]_5019-mankind sing is but the wretched shadow of what [they]_5019-mankind feel ! ” And [Chough]_248-chough sighed , and fixed [his]_145-hamlin eyes on [his]_145-hamlin lacquered boot‐tips , as much as to intimate that [he]_145-hamlin , who lived on mutton‐chops and spent [his]_145-hamlin life nursing [an epileptic wife]_{6253-an epileptic wife} , was of [that Caliph Vathek kind]_{6254-that caliph vathek kind} . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} laughed ; but [Chough]_248-chough thought it was at [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and frowned . “_{[5019-mankind]} Herein lies [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s advantage ; [he]_145-hamlin is [the pure artist]_{2972-the pure artist} . And , mark [me]_0-i , ” [he]_145-hamlin said , looking fiercely around [him]_145-hamlin , “_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin is none the worse for that . No , rather the better . [I]_0-i know [no man]_{4317-no man} to compare with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as [a mere person]_{2974-a mere person} ; to compare with [him]_145-hamlin not merely in genius , but in kindliness of temper , in purity of soul , in delicacy of thoughts . [He]_145-hamlin is not merely [a great artist]_{5804-a great artist} , but a work of art ; [he]_145-hamlin is like a picture of [Sir Galahad]_{217-sir galahad} vivified , or like [a sonnet of Dante turned into flesh]_{2976-a sonnet of dante turned into flesh} — and [I]_0-i think [Miss Brown]_171-anne will agree with [me]_0-i . ” “_[171-anne] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , slowly , “_[145-hamlin] is [a very generous man]_{2977-a very generous man} and [a very chivalric man]_{2978-a very chivalric man} , and , ” [she]_171-anne added , feeling as if [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} were looking into [her]_171-anne soul , and as if [she]_0-i must read ingratitude written in it , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i feel that [I]_0-i am indebted to [him]_145-hamlin not merely for all [he]_145-hamlin has done for [me]_0-i , but for the way in which [he]_145-hamlin has done it — ” “_[145-hamlin] Oh no , no ! ” exclaimed [the polite little poet , to whom [Anne]_171-anne was quite [the goddess]_{6256-the goddess}]_{6255-the polite little poet , to whom anne was quite the goddess} , “_[145-hamlin] do n’t say that , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; [you]_171-anne can never owe anything to [any one]_{4101-any one} . Whatever [a man]_{503-a man} can do , is a tribute which [his]_{503-a man} nature forces [him]_{503-a man} to lay down at [[your]_171-anne shrine]_{2981-your shrine} . ” “_[620-one] Yes , ” mused [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , following out the pattern of the carpet with [her]_{360-madame elaguine} parasol “_[620-one] indebted — that is how [one]_620-one must feel towards [Walter]_145-hamlin — indebted for the pleasure , & c. , & c. , of so charming an acquaintance ; but love — one ca n’t love where there is only artistic instinct to meet one — ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know nothing about such matters , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , quietly . “_[0-i] But , perhaps — [Hamlin]_145-hamlin may be [a sort of child of genius]_{2983-a sort of child of genius} , and the man , [the man who feels may come later]_{2984-the man who feels may come later} , ” finished [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} . “_{[2984-the man who feels may come later]} When [people]_577-people do n’t feel , [they]_577-people do n’t feel , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , sternly ; “_[577-people] [I]_0-i mean — morally . ” “_[577-people] By the way , ” exclaimed [Chough]_248-chough , “_[577-people] [I]_0-i am reading such a delightful book — have [you]_0-i ever read it , [Madame Elaguine?—The]_{431-madame elaguine?—the} Letters of [Mademoiselle Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} — ” “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} Who was [Mademoiselle Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne absently , forgetting that experience had taught [her]_171-anne that it was safer not to inquire too curiously into [[Mr Chough]_248-chough ’s heroines]_{6258-mr chough ’s heroines} . “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} [I]_0-i suppose [she]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} was [some improper lady]_{2986-some improper lady} or other — all [[your]_0-i poetic ladies]_{2987-your poetic ladies} were , were n’t [they]_{2987-your poetic ladies} ? ” asked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_{[2987-your poetic ladies]} Something like [[your]_0-i Belle Heaulmière , whom [you]_0-i insisted on talking about at [poor [Lady Brady]_{433-lady brady} ’s party]_{2989-poor lady brady ’s party}]_{2988-your belle heaulmière , whom you insisted on talking about at poor lady brady ’s party} , although [I]_0-i kept making signs to [you]_0-i the whole time . ” “_[0-i] Improper ? ” exclaimed [Chough]_248-chough . “_[0-i] [Mademoiselle Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} was the soul of virtue — [the purest woman]_{2990-the purest woman} — of the eighteenth century . ” “_[0-i] Tell [us]_2991-us about [this purest woman of — the eighteenth century]_{2992-this purest woman of — the eighteenth century} , ” laughed [Sacha]_386-sacha . “_{[2992-this purest woman of — the eighteenth century]} [She]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} was [the daughter of [kings]_4166-kings]_{2993-the daughter of kings} ; [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} name was originally [Ayesha]_434-ayesha , like [the wife of [the Prophet]_{2996-the prophet}]_{2995-the wife of the prophet} — but [she]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} became [a slave]_{2670-a slave} , and was sold as [a child]_{623-a child} to [M. de Ferréol]_{435-m. de ferréol} — [I]_0-i think that was [his]_{435-m. de ferréol} name — who was ambassador at [Constantinople]_{121-constantinople} . [M. de Ferréol]_{435-m. de ferréol} sent [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} to [[his]_{435-m. de ferréol} sister‐in‐law]_{2999-his sister‐in‐law} in [Paris]_42-paris to educate . [Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} grew up [the most refined and accomplished woman,—you]_{3000-the most refined and accomplished woman,—you} should read [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} letters — perfect gems!—and marvellously beautiful . Life was just opening to [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} , and love also , when [M. de Ferréol]_{435-m. de ferréol} returned from [Constantinople]_{121-constantinople} , and said to [this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} : ‘ [You]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} are [[my]_0-i slave]_{3002-my slave} ; [I]_0-i bought [you]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} , [I]_0-i educated [you]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} ; now love [me]_0-i . ’ ” [Chough]_248-chough paused and looked round [him]_{435-m. de ferréol} to watch the effect of [his]_{435-m. de ferréol} eloquence . But [his]_{435-m. de ferréol} eyes fell upon [Anne]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne was very white . “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} Well — and what did [Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} answer ? ” asked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} [Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} answered — let [me]_0-i see , what did [Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} answer?—oh , [I]_0-i should spoil [your]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} pleasure were [I]_0-i to tell it [you]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} . [I]_0-i will bring [you]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} the book , dear [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , and [you]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} shall tell [me]_0-i what [you]_{3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature} think of it . ” [Anne]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne had betrayed [herself]_171-anne . To [Sacha]_386-sacha , [she]_171-anne hoped , [she]_171-anne believed not — but to [Chough]_248-chough . [The little poet]_{4698-the little poet} , in [his]_{4698-the little poet} trumpery way , was really attached to [Anne]_171-anne , whom [he]_{4698-the little poet} considered as [[his]_{4698-the little poet} guardian angel]_{6260-his guardian angel} ; and perhaps [his]_{4698-the little poet} affection had made [him]_{4698-the little poet} understand . “_{[3001-this exquisite , proud , and pure‐minded creature]} What became of [Mademoiselle Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , some time later , as [she]_171-anne stood by the piano where [Chough]_248-chough was playing . [Chough]_248-chough looked up . “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} Oh — why — [she]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} — in short — afterwards — [she]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} died . ” “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} Would [you]_3003-you like to see the book ? ” asked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; “_[3003-you] [I]_0-i have some others on hand at present . [Mr Chough]_248-chough shall send it to [you]_3003-you — ” “_[248-chough] Oh no , thank [you]_0-i , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have a heap of books to get through ; and — [I]_0-i do n’t care what happened to [Mademoiselle Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} . ” “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} [You]_3003-you are very hard‐hearted , [Anne]_171-anne . ” “_{[432-mademoiselle aïssé]} [She]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} would not have objected to [M. de Ferréol]_{435-m. de ferréol} if [she]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} had remained [a mere little Turkish slave‐girl]_{3004-a mere little turkish slave‐girl} ; [she]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} would have thought [him]_{435-m. de ferréol} a sort of God . [She]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} had no business to let [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} education make [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} squeamish . ” “_{[3005-a nasty old ambassador]} [A nasty old ambassador]_{3005-a nasty old ambassador} ! ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “_{[3005-a nasty old ambassador]} [I]_0-i think it was awfully hard upon [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} , [poor thing]_{3006-poor thing} ! And was [she]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} in love with [some one else]_{1193-some one else} , [Mr Chough]_248-chough ? ” WHEN [Chough]_248-chough first told [her]_171-anne the story of [Mademoiselle Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} , it was as if [Anne]_171-anne had been suddenly confronted by [her]_171-anne own wraith , surrounded by strange and tragic lights ; and the shock was very violent . But [Miss Brown]_171-anne was too honest not to see after a minute that between [her]_171-anne and [Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} there was an unfathomable difference . [M. de Ferréol]_{435-m. de ferréol} was [a mere experimentalising old roué]_{6261-a mere experimentalising old roué} , who had had [a mistress]_{6262-a mistress} prepared as [he]_{435-m. de ferréol} might have had a goose fattened ; and what [he]_{435-m. de ferréol} claimed of [Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} was [her]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} infamy . [Anne]_171-anne ’s conscience smote [her]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne was very ungrateful . And [she]_171-anne thought over all those scenes at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{734-the villa arnolfini} , at [Florence]_6-florence , nay , here in [England]_37-england not so long ago ; [she]_171-anne thought of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s generosity and delicacy of mind — of the quixotic way in which [he]_145-hamlin had bound [himself]_145-hamlin while leaving [her]_171-anne free — of the chivalrous way in which [he]_145-hamlin had dowered [her]_171-anne , making [her]_171-anne feel almost as if all this money , which placed [her]_171-anne on [his]_145-hamlin own level , was [her]_171-anne own inheritance , and not [his]_145-hamlin charity . [She]_171-anne remembered all the respect , which was more of [a brother]_{6147-a brother} than of [a lover]_{6265-a lover} , with which [he]_145-hamlin treated [her]_171-anne — the constant manner in which [he]_145-hamlin hid all [her]_171-anne obligations to [him]_145-hamlin , never letting any taunt or harsh word of [hers]_171-anne get the better of [his]_145-hamlin resolution that [Anne]_171-anne should feel that [she]_171-anne owed nothing to [him]_145-hamlin , and that [he]_145-hamlin craved for [her]_171-anne love as [he]_145-hamlin might have done for that of [a queen]_{6266-a queen} . And it came home to [her]_171-anne how pure , nay , how poetically and romantically noble was the love which [he]_145-hamlin asked for ; and [she]_171-anne felt almost wicked when [she]_171-anne reflected that what [he]_145-hamlin wanted was to make [her]_171-anne into the very highest thing which [a man]_{503-a man} can make [a woman]_{3960-a woman} — a sort of [Beatrice]_187-beatrice , a creature to love whom will be spiritual redemption . All these things did [Anne]_171-anne say to [herself]_171-anne ; but it cost [her]_171-anne an effort , and the strain could not be kept up . The fact was that [she]_171-anne had , in [her]_171-anne terror of being unjust , refused to listen to [her]_171-anne own plea . But it came back to [her]_171-anne like an overwhelming flood . [She]_171-anne could not love [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; [her]_171-anne soul recoiled from contact with [his]_145-hamlin as [her]_171-anne body might have recoiled from the forced embrace of a corpse : such a union , it seemed , would mean the death of [her]_171-anne own nature . To be [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} , to spend all [her]_171-anne life by [his]_145-hamlin side , hopelessly watching [his]_145-hamlin growing callousness to everything for which [she]_171-anne felt born,—to feel one generous impulse after another gradually waxing feebler , one energy after another for good becoming paralysed by the deathly moral chill of [his]_145-hamlin utter heartlessness,—was this not much worse than any mere dishonour of the body , this prostitution of the spirit ? [Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} ’s soul at least was free ; [[her]_171-anne Ferréol]_{6270-her ferréol} could not deprive [her]_171-anne of [her]_171-anne moral freedom , [her]_171-anne aspirations , [her]_171-anne powers of self‐sacrifice ; but with [her]_171-anne , [Anne Brown]_171-anne , it was different . And [she]_171-anne repeated to [herself]_171-anne with bitterness the warning words which [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had spoken in vain so long , long ago : “_[248-chough] [You]_3008-you will be [his]_3009-his to do what [he]_3009-his chooses ; worse than [[his]_3009-his slave]_{4402-his slave} , [his]_3009-his mere chattel and plaything . ” How little [Dick]_379-hamlin had guessed the much more terrible meaning which these words would come to have for [her]_171-anne ! Unconsciously [Anne]_171-anne ’s mind reverted to the business of [Marjory]_249-marjory and [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ; and [her]_171-anne mind ’s eye rested for a moment upon [those two lovers]_{6271-those two lovers} , to each of whom , through whatsoever of discrepancy there might be , [the other]_{1030-the other} represented [his]_6273-his or [her]_6274-her highest ideal , [that other ’s opinion [his]_6273-his or [her]_6274-her highest conscience]_{6275-that other ’s opinion his or her highest conscience} ; not passionately in love , like [Othello]_436-othello and [Desdemona]_{437-desdemona} , or Romeo and [Juliet]_438-juliet , but persuaded to [their]_{6271-those two lovers} inmost soul that in living by [each other]_{594-each other} ’s side , and sympathising with and helping in the other ’s work , each would be fulfilling [his]_6273-his or [her]_6274-her best destiny in [the world]_{496-the world} . [Another woman]_{4381-another woman} situated like [Anne]_171-anne might have let [herself]_{4381-another woman} be tempted into cynicism by unconscious envy ; but this was not within [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s honest , and open‐eyed , and stern nature . [She]_171-anne never once said to herself—“Marjory_{[376-harry collett]} and [Harry]_{376-harry collett} will awake one day from [their]_3011-their dream . ” [She]_171-anne had dreamed , alas ! and had awakened ; but [she]_171-anne recognised that [these two]_{6279-these two} were broad awake , and that [their]_3011-their happiness was a reality . [Anne]_171-anne looked at [these two lovers]_{6280-these two lovers} for a moment , but without any envy or bitterness . It never even entered [her]_171-anne mind to covet [their]_3011-their happiness , to imagine that [she]_171-anne might have a right to anything similar . [Anne]_171-anne , though leaning towards socialism in [her]_171-anne theories , was not in the least a communistic mind ; [she]_171-anne did not ask , “_{[376-harry collett]} Why should [I]_0-i not get the same advantages as [[my]_0-i neighbours]_{3012-my neighbours} ? ” [She]_171-anne envied [no one]_{3899-no one} the prize in the lottery ; [she]_171-anne begged only for a chance . To be [the wife of [a man whom [she]_171-anne loved , and who loved [her]_171-anne]_{6283-a man whom she loved , and who loved her} — to be [the companion and helpmate of some one who was striving after [her]_171-anne own ideals]_{6284-the companion and helpmate of some one who was striving after her own ideals}]_{6282-the wife of a man whom she loved , and who loved her — to be the companion and helpmate of some one who was striving after her own ideals} ; such hankerings had never passed through [her]_171-anne mind — or , if [they]_3011-their had , they had long since been banished . What [Anne]_171-anne longed for , what [her]_171-anne soul hungered after , was merely negative freedom . Freedom to sympathise and to aspire — to do whatever little [she]_171-anne still might to carve [herself]_171-anne out a spiritual life of [her]_171-anne own , no matter how mean and insignificant ; freedom to live in that portion of [her]_171-anne which was most worthy of life . To gain [her]_171-anne bread , no matter how harshly ; to be of some use , to teach at [a school]_{2459-a school} or [nurse]_713-nurse at [a hospital]_{6287-a hospital} ; nay , to be able merely to encourage [others]_4163-others to do what [she]_171-anne might not,—this was all that [Anne]_171-anne asked ; and this , in [her]_171-anne future as [the wife of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin]_{6289-the wife of hamlin} , as the queen of this æsthetic world , which seemed to poison and paralyse [her]_171-anne soul , was what [she]_171-anne knew [she]_171-anne could not have , what [she]_171-anne knew [she]_171-anne must do without . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am [a selfish brute]_{3013-a selfish brute} , ” [she]_171-anne suddenly said to [herself]_171-anne , “_{[3013-a selfish brute]} wasting the time which is still mine,”—and [she]_171-anne took down [her]_171-anne books of political economy , and tried to fix [her]_171-anne attention upon them , and think out a scheme of the lessons and exercises which [she]_171-anne would give to [the shop‐girls at [the Working Women ’s Club]_{5833-the working women ’s club}]_{6290-the shop‐girls at the working women ’s club} . But what was the use of doing this ? [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , [she]_171-anne knew , loathed the notion of [her]_171-anne teaching at [the Club]_{6292-the club} ; [he]_379-hamlin would never let [her]_171-anne teach [there]_4426-there ; and , once [[his]_379-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} , [she]_171-anne understood [him]_379-hamlin sufficiently to be fully aware that [he]_379-hamlin would consider [himself]_379-hamlin completely empowered to make [her]_171-anne do or leave alone whatever [he]_379-hamlin chose . Still [Anne]_171-anne tried to work on courageously . In the afternoon [she]_171-anne went to hear one of [Professor Richmond]_{439-professor richmond} ’s lectures . This was [the fervent young positivist whom [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin so much admired , and whose intense moral convictions had done a good deal to keep [Anne]_171-anne out of the slough of desponding pessimism round which [she]_171-anne had been some time hovering]_{6295-the fervent young positivist whom cousin dick so much admired , and whose intense moral convictions had done a good deal to keep anne out of the slough of desponding pessimism round which she had been some time hovering} . [Andrew Richmond]_440-richmond was [a man who had many slanderers]_{6296-a man who had many slanderers} , many of whom [he]_440-richmond has now left behind [him]_440-richmond — [their]_6297-their misrepresentations having been more long‐lived than [he]_440-richmond ; for [he]_440-richmond had passed through many phases of thought , and , being perfectly honest , [he]_440-richmond had never been able to become unjust to any , and thus had made [enemies]_6298-enemies not merely among [the men whose beliefs [he]_440-richmond had abandoned]_{6299-the men whose beliefs he had abandoned} , but among [those also whose beliefs [he]_440-richmond had accepted without accepting [their]_{6300-those also whose beliefs he had accepted without accepting their follies} follies]_{6300-those also whose beliefs he had accepted without accepting their follies} . [He]_440-richmond stood very alone ; and it was perhaps this isolation — this obvious indifference of [the man]_{757-the man} to all save [his]_440-richmond own reason and conscience — which added to the solemnity of [his]_440-richmond convictions ; and made [him]_440-richmond appear , more than [any one else]_{1701-any one else} , in the light of [a priest of morality]_{6303-a priest of morality} , of [a prophet of the advent of justice]_{6304-a prophet of the advent of justice} . [Anne]_171-anne had never spoken to [Richmond]_440-richmond ; but [she]_171-anne felt that , of [all human souls]_{6305-all human souls} , [this one]_{6306-this one} did the most to keep up the courage of [her]_171-anne own . This was one of the last discourses which [the poor dying positivist]_{6307-the poor dying positivist} ever delivered ; and it was the more earnest for the sense of [his]_440-richmond approaching end . [He]_440-richmond spoke this time , or , as [his]_440-richmond ridiculers called it , [he]_440-richmond preached upon the relation of duty to progress ; upon the value of each good impulse carried out , and each evil one resisted , in making morality more natural and spontaneous in [the world]_{496-the world} ; and [he]_440-richmond insisted especially upon the danger , to [people whose ideas of right and wrong rested no longer upon any priestly authority]_{6309-people whose ideas of right and wrong rested no longer upon any priestly authority} , of [the individual]_{2834-the individual} sophisticating [himself]_{2834-the individual} into the belief that in yielding to the preferences of [his]_{2834-the individual} own nature [he]_{2834-the individual} was following the highest law , and that any special usefulness ought legitimately to be bought at the expense of departing from the moral rules of [the world]_{496-the world} . “_[0-i] The danger of [our]_3014-our epoch of moral transition , ” [he]_440-richmond said , “_{[2834-the individual]} lies in the temptation of [the individual]_{2834-the individual} to say to himself—‘If [I]_0-i am willing to sacrifice [myself]_0-i , have [I]_0-i not a right also to sacrifice the established opinions of [others]_4163-others ? ’ ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i detest [that man Richmond]_{3017-that man richmond} , ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had once said ; “_{[3017-that man richmond]} [he]_{3017-that man richmond} puts an end to all self‐sacrifice . ” “_{[3017-that man richmond]} If [you]_3018-you mean the sacrifice of one ’s peace of mind and social dignity to the passion of [another person]_{3019-another person} and to [one]_620-one ’s own , [he]_{3017-that man richmond} certainly does , ” [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had answered sternly . At the door of [the lecture‐room]_{6312-the lecture‐room} [Anne]_171-anne met [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} . “_{[3017-that man richmond]} Are [you]_3018-you driving to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} ? ” [he]_{1291-her cousin} asked . “_[3018-you] No ; [I]_0-i am going to walk . ” [Anne]_171-anne had made it a rule for the last two or three months to deprive [herself]_171-anne of all luxuries . [She]_171-anne did not wish to enjoy everything that [she]_171-anne had a right to ; [she]_171-anne had also a stern pleasure in doing the things most repugnant to [her]_171-anne ; and a walk through [the [London]_4-london streets]_{6314-the london streets} , in murky spring weather , was to [Anne]_171-anne ’s Italian temper , nurtured with æsthetic delicacy , one of the most disagreeable of expeditions . “_[0-i] But it is drizzling and horribly muddy , ” said [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , looking at [her]_171-anne as [he]_{223-richard brown} buttoned [her]_171-anne ulster over [her]_171-anne massive figure . “_[0-i] Surely [Hamlin]_379-hamlin will be very much shocked if [you]_3018-you come into [the house]_{509-the house} with mud on [your]_3018-you shoes ? But if [you]_3018-you are really going to walk [I]_0-i will accompany [you]_3018-you , if [you]_3018-you do n’t mind , because [I]_0-i ’m going in that direction . ” “_[0-i] Where are [you]_0-i going ? ” “_[0-i] To [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} ; [I]_0-i have some business [there]_4426-there . ” [And Brown]_{223-richard brown} looked once more at [[his]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{1267-his cousin} as [he]_{223-richard brown} opened [his]_{223-richard brown} umbrella over [her]_3018-you . “_[0-i] Will [you]_3018-you take [my]_0-i arm , [Anne]_171-anne ? ” [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was not [a lady ’s man]_{6316-a lady ’s man} , and there was something awkward and unaccustomed in [his]_{223-richard brown} request . “_[3018-you] [I]_0-i am big enough to take care of [myself]_0-i , [I]_0-i think , [Dick]_379-hamlin . And [I]_0-i know [you]_379-hamlin hate having [women to drag along]_{3023-women to drag along} ; [I]_0-i have watched [you]_379-hamlin going into dinner‐parties often enough . ” “_[0-i] It is out of [my]_0-i line , [you]_379-hamlin ’re right . ” For some time [they]_6317-they walked along in silence through [the black oozy streets]_{6318-the black oozy streets} , crammed with barrows of fruit , round which gathered [the draggled dripping women]_{6319-the draggled dripping women} , [[their]_{6319-the draggled dripping women} babies]_{6320-their babies} huddled up in [their]_{6319-the draggled dripping women} torn shawls , [their]_{6319-the draggled dripping women} hair untidy and dank beneath [their]_{6319-the draggled dripping women} once lilac or pale‐pink smut‐engrained bonnets ; the cabs , shining blue‐black , ploughed through the mud ; the heavy drays splashed from gutter to gutter ; [the houses]_{2332-the houses} were black and oozy ; the very raindrops on the railings looked black ; the sky was a dirty dull‐grey waste ; only the scarlet letter‐boxes stood out coloured in the general smutty , foggy , neutral tint . “_[379-hamlin] Do [you]_379-hamlin remark that [public‐houses]_{3024-public‐houses} are the only places which make an attempt at architecture and ornament ? ” said [Dick]_379-hamlin grimly , as [they]_6317-they passed the ground‐glass windows and colonnade and coloured glass globes of [one of [these establishments]_{6323-these establishments}]_{6322-one of these establishments} . “_[379-hamlin] Did it not strike [you]_379-hamlin , [Italian]_441-italian as [you]_379-hamlin are , that in [this country]_{3025-this country} , which has invented high art , the only things called [palaces]_3026-palaces , except those inhabited by [royalty]_3027-royalty , are [pot‐houses]_{3028-pot‐houses} ? Why do [[your]_379-hamlin æsthetic friends]_{3029-your æsthetic friends} keep all [their]_{3029-your æsthetic friends} æstheticism for indoors ? Why do n’t [they]_{3029-your æsthetic friends} build [themselves]_{3029-your æsthetic friends} houses which will be some pleasure to [the poor people who pass]_{3030-the poor people who pass} ? ” Always that indirect attack upon [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [[his]_379-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} : it was just and reasonable ; yet , coming from [Brown]_{223-richard brown} , it somehow grated upon [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[3029-your æsthetic friends]} That will come later , ” [she]_0-i said . “_{[3029-your æsthetic friends]} The first thing is that [the upper classes]_{5858-the upper classes} become accustomed to beautiful things . [You]_379-hamlin ca n’t expect [them]_{5858-the upper classes} to mind hideous outsides to [[their]_{5858-the upper classes} houses]_{752-their houses} if [they]_{5858-the upper classes} are indifferent to hideous insides . [I]_0-i do n’t think , ” [she]_0-i added boldly , “_[0-i] that æstheticism has had much generosity of aspiration in it so far , except in [isolated men]_{3033-isolated men} like [Ruskin]_{325-mr ruskin} and [Morris]_326-morris ; but [I]_0-i am sure it will eventually improve some matters even for [the lower classes]_{4974-the lower classes} . ” “_[442-nero] [Nero]_442-nero rebuilt [Rome]_28-rome , did n’t [he]_442-nero , ” sneered [Brown]_{223-richard brown} , “_[442-nero] after [he]_442-nero had amused [himself]_442-nero burning [it]_28-rome down ? ” [They]_6325-they fell to talking about the lecture , and then about [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s plans . “_[442-nero] [I]_0-i hope to get into [Parliament]_{122-parliament} next elections , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} said , “_[0-i] and then [I]_0-i shall retire from [[Mr Gillespie]_{443-mr gillespie} ’s firm]_{3035-mr gillespie ’s firm} . ” “_{[443-mr gillespie]} Why ? [They]_{3035-mr gillespie ’s firm} say [you]_0-i can make a big fortune if [you]_0-i keep on . ” “_{[3035-mr gillespie ’s firm]} [I]_0-i have quite money enough ; [I]_0-i am [a rich man]_{4395-a rich man} . [You]_3037-you would n’t have thought that possible , would [you]_3037-you , [Nan]_171-anne , two or three years ago ? Almost as rich as [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , do [you]_3037-you know , [young woman]_{3038-young woman} ? ” and [he]_{223-richard brown} turned and looked at [her]_{3038-young woman} . There was a curious expression , what [she]_{3038-young woman} could not understand , except that it was defiant , in [Dick]_379-hamlin ’s face . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am glad to hear it . It is a fine thing to have money ; it enables [one]_620-one to do generous things — like what [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin did for [me]_0-i , for instance . ” [Anne]_171-anne could not have explained why [she]_{3038-young woman} felt bound , at this particular moment , to throw [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s generosity in [[her]_{3038-young woman} cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ’s face . “_[145-hamlin] Ah , well , ” answered [Brown]_171-anne , suppressing something [he]_145-hamlin had been about to retort , “_[145-hamlin] of course [I]_0-i could not formerly have done what [he]_145-hamlin did for [you]_{3038-young woman} ; but [I]_0-i would have gladly spent every shilling [I]_0-i had , [Anne]_171-anne , to educate [you]_{3038-young woman} , so that [[your]_{3038-young woman} father]_{3947-your father} might have been proud of [you]_{3038-young woman} . ” “_{[3038-young woman]} [I]_0-i know [you]_{3038-young woman} would , [Dick]_379-hamlin — [you]_{3038-young woman} are very kind . ” And yet , thought [Anne]_171-anne , until [he]_{3038-young woman} had been piqued by [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s offer , [he]_{3038-young woman} had forgotten all about [her]_171-anne . “_{[3038-young woman]} But why do [you]_{3038-young woman} intend to leave [your]_{3038-young woman} business ? ” “_{[3038-young woman]} Because [I]_0-i want to give [myself]_0-i up entirely to studying social questions , and [my]_0-i business would suffer if [I]_0-i gave it only partial attention . ” And [he]_{3038-young woman} proceeded to explain the various questions which [he]_{3038-young woman} intended studying , the various evils into whose reason [he]_{3038-young woman} wished to look . “_{[3038-young woman]} Reform has been too much the leisure‐time amusement of [men]_4644-men , ” [he]_{3038-young woman} said . “_{[3038-young woman]} [People]_577-people have thought that it requires less training to touch , nay , to sound , social wounds , than to set a broken arm or dress a wound . [We]_3043-we must find the scientific basis for [our]_3043-we art . And it is a very , very long art , and life is very , very short . For [my]_0-i part , [I]_0-i feel that [my]_0-i knowledge is to what it should be what the knowledge [you]_3044-you may get out of [a school primer of physiology]_{3045-a school primer of physiology} is to the knowledge required by [a great surgeon]_{3046-a great surgeon} . [I]_0-i do n’t suppose [I]_0-i or [any of [[my]_0-i generation]_{3048-my generation}]_{3047-any of my generation} will succeed in doing much practical good ; but [we]_3043-we shall have made [the public]_{1781-the public} ready for certain views on [[our]_3043-we subjects]_{3050-our subjects} , and rendered it easier for [[our]_3043-we practical followers]_{3051-our practical followers} to get [their]_{3051-our practical followers} education . There is nothing very glorious to be done at present : no giving out of brilliant new ideas or making of successful revolutions ; only [patient grubbing at facts]_{3052-patient grubbing at facts} and [patient working on the public mind]_{3053-patient working on the public mind} . ” “_{[3053-patient working on the public mind]} Is that enough for [an ambitious man]_{3054-an ambitious man} ? ” “_[620-one] [One]_620-one must pocket [one]_620-one ’s ambition . What [we]_3043-we want is knowledge , not conspicuous personalities . ” [Anne]_171-anne was silent . [Dick]_379-hamlin ’s words were like military music to [her]_171-anne . Oh to be able to join [him]_379-hamlin , to march by [his]_379-hamlin side , to carry [his]_379-hamlin arms ! “_[620-one] Go on [Dick]_379-hamlin , please . It does one good to hear of these things . ” [Dick]_379-hamlin went on . “_[3057-you] [You]_3057-you must not overwork [yourself]_3057-you , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , anxiously . “_[3057-you] Just think if [you]_3057-you were to break down , as [so many men]_{3058-so many men} have done — as poor [Richmond]_440-richmond is doing . ” “_{[440-richmond]} Oh , [I]_0-i am strong . The only thing which concerns [me]_0-i is [my]_0-i sight . [I]_0-i find [I]_0-i am already unable to read of an evening . There ’s no danger of blindness , but [the doctor]_{5794-the doctor} says [I]_0-i must not work by candle‐light . Oh , there ’s no mischief . [I]_0-i shall engage [a secretary]_{3060-a secretary} . [I]_0-i know plenty of [young men who would come , even for a small salary]_{3061-young men who would come , even for a small salary} . There is [the son of one of [[our]_3063-our head workmen]_{3064-our head workmen} , [a very intelligent lad]_{3065-a very intelligent lad} , of whom [I]_0-i am thinking ; but perhaps [he]_{3065-a very intelligent lad} is not sufficiently educated yet]_{3062-the son of one of our head workmen , a very intelligent lad , of whom i am thinking ; but perhaps he is not sufficiently educated yet} . [I]_0-i must have [some one who knows German and French]_{3066-some one who knows german and french} , and so forth . ” [Anne]_171-anne felt a lump in [her]_171-anne throat . Oh that [she]_171-anne had been [a man]_{503-a man} , instead of being [this useless , base creature of mere comely looks]_{6328-this useless , base creature of mere comely looks} , [a woman , set apart for the contemplation of æsthetes]_{6329-a woman , set apart for the contemplation of æsthetes} ! If [she]_171-anne had been [a man]_{503-a man} , and could have helped [a man like [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown}]_{5806-a man like richard brown} ! “_{[3066-some one who knows german and french]} But [I]_0-i am not certain of [my]_0-i plans just yet , ” added [Brown]_{223-richard brown} , and [he]_{223-richard brown} dropped the subject . [They]_6332-they walked on for some moments in silence ; then [he]_{223-richard brown} began questioning [her]_171-anne about [Lewis]_353-lewis , and [Chough]_379-hamlin , and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} . “_[0-i] [Chough]_379-hamlin is [a dear good little man]_{3067-a dear good little man} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[379-hamlin] [he]_379-hamlin is very absurd and vain , and fond of talking and writing about wicked things , which [I]_0-i am sure [he]_379-hamlin does n’t understand any more than [I.]_0-i But [he]_379-hamlin is so self‐sacrificing , and warm‐hearted , and true . [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , [poor creature]_{3068-poor creature} , is very morbid and faddy , and , [I]_0-i think , hates [me]_0-i ; but [I]_0-i am very sorry for [him]_{347-dennistoun} . As to [Lewis]_353-lewis , [he]_353-lewis may be [a very good man]_{3069-a very good man} , but [I]_0-i do n’t like [him]_353-lewis — ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i suppose [you]_0-i have heard what [people]_577-people say,—that [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} had rather a bad influence upon [Hamlin]_379-hamlin some years ago — in short , made [him]_379-hamlin take to eating opium , or haschisch , or something similar ? ” “_{[364-mr lewis]} No — [I]_0-i had never heard that , ” and [Anne]_171-anne seemed suddenly to understand [her]_0-i instinctive horror of [Lewis]_353-lewis . “_[0-i] Does [Hamlin]_379-hamlin see much of [him]_353-lewis now ? ” “_[379-hamlin] A great deal — more than [I]_0-i can at all sympathise with . [Lewis]_353-lewis is rather a sore subject between [us]_3071-us ; [he]_353-lewis knows [I]_0-i do n’t like [him]_353-lewis , and yet [he]_353-lewis is very fond of [him]_353-lewis . ” “_[353-lewis] [I]_0-i suppose [Lewis]_353-lewis flatters [him]_353-lewis very much . ” “_[353-lewis] [I]_0-i suppose so . ” [Anne]_171-anne resented being thus cross‐questioned about [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , but [she]_0-i was quite unable to prevaricate in [her]_0-i answers — [her]_0-i nature was too frank , and [Richard]_{223-richard brown} ’s questions were too direct . “_[353-lewis] [You]_0-i are not very happy with [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} suddenly asked , or rather affirmed . [Anne]_171-anne flushed , but did not answer at once . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have an unlucky temper , ” [she]_0-i said , after a moment . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am too exacting with [people]_577-people . [I]_0-i ca n’t get out of [my]_0-i own individuality sufficiently , [I]_0-i fear . ” [Richard]_{223-richard brown} looked at [her]_0-i with pity , and at the same time with that implacable scrutiny of [his]_{223-richard brown} . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i feel [your]_0-i nature narrowed by all this æsthetic world around [you]_0-i , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} said . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i find [these men]_{2792-these men} selfish , mean , weak , shallow — ” “_[379-hamlin] [Chough]_379-hamlin is not selfish . As to [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} and [Lewis]_353-lewis , [I]_0-i told [you]_0-i [I]_0-i disliked [them]_{2792-these men} . ” “_[0-i] [You]_0-i are equivocating , [Anne]_171-anne . [You]_0-i know [I]_0-i am not speaking of [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} , or [Lewis]_353-lewis , or [Chough]_379-hamlin . [You]_0-i find that [Hamlin]_379-hamlin drags [you]_0-i down , freezes all [your]_0-i best aspirations . ” [Anne]_171-anne turned very white and trembled . “_[379-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin is [a poet]_{498-a poet} , [an artist]_{3956-an artist} ; [he]_145-hamlin is not [a philanthropist]_{3076-a philanthropist} or [a thinker]_{3077-a thinker} . But [he]_145-hamlin has done for [me]_0-i more than [I]_0-i believe [any man]_{1338-any man} has ever done for [any woman]_{1339-any woman} . ” “_[145-hamlin] But — [you]_0-i do n’t love [him]_145-hamlin ? ” [Richard]_{223-richard brown} had stopped as [they]_6333-they walked along [the Hammersmith embankment]_{6334-the hammersmith embankment} . [It]_{6334-the hammersmith embankment} was [a very quiet spot]_{6335-a very quiet spot} , and [not a soul]_{6336-not a soul} was out in the thin , grey , drizzly fog . [Anne]_171-anne hesitated for a moment . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i feel very much attached to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin on account of [his]_145-hamlin generosity towards [me]_0-i — and [I]_0-i feel [I]_0-i can never repay it . ” [She]_0-i did not look in [Brown]_171-anne ’s face as [she]_0-i answered , but stared vaguely at [the river]_{4465-the river} , at the dripping trees , the grey willow branches pulled backwards and forwards by the grey current ; at [the houses opposite]_{6338-the houses opposite} , and the boats dim in the fog . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i do n’t love [him]_145-hamlin ? ” repeated [Richard]_{223-richard brown} in a whisper . “_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne , answer [me]_0-i . ” “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i do n’t see what right [you]_0-i have to ask [me]_0-i such a question , [Richard]_{223-richard brown} . ” “_{[223-richard brown]} No ? Well , [I]_0-i do — and [you]_0-i shall see why . [You]_171-anne are not [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} ; why should [you]_0-i try and tell lies ? Do [you]_0-i or do [you]_0-i not love [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [Anne]_171-anne ? ” [Anne]_171-anne looked for a moment at the swirling waters , at the willow twigs whirled hither and thither . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i suppose [I]_0-i do not . ” There was a pause . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i do not love [him]_145-hamlin , and [you]_0-i still contemplate marrying [him]_145-hamlin ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i contemplate nothing at all . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has not yet asked [me]_0-i to marry [him]_145-hamlin , and perhaps [he]_145-hamlin never may . ” “_[145-hamlin] Nonsense , [Anne]_171-anne . And when [he]_145-hamlin does ask [you]_171-anne , what will [you]_171-anne answer ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i shall answer Yes . [I]_0-i am bound to do it . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has done all , all for [me]_0-i . If [he]_145-hamlin wish to marry [me]_0-i , [I]_0-i can not refuse [him]_145-hamlin the only thing which [I]_0-i can give in return for [his]_145-hamlin generosity . ” [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} burst into a strange shrill laugh . “_[171-anne] The only thing which [you]_171-anne can give in return for [his]_145-hamlin generosity ! ” [he]_{223-richard brown} exclaimed , but always in the same undertone . “_[171-anne] Who first made use of those words , [Nan]_171-anne ? The only thing which [you]_171-anne can give in return for [his]_145-hamlin generosity ! Did not [some one]_{1380-some one} use those very words to [you]_171-anne , long , long ago in [Florence]_6-florence , when [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin first proposed to educate [you]_171-anne , and [[your]_171-anne cousin]_{4341-your cousin} said that [you]_171-anne were running the risk of selling [yourself]_171-anne ? But , by [God]_195-god ! [you]_171-anne shall not sell [yourself]_171-anne , [Anne]_171-anne . Do [you]_171-anne know what [you]_171-anne are giving [him]_145-hamlin in return for what [you]_171-anne call [his]_145-hamlin generosity?—that is to say , in return for the whim which made [him]_145-hamlin educate [a beautiful woman]_{1798-a beautiful woman} , that [he]_145-hamlin might show [her]_{1798-a beautiful woman} off and have [a beautiful wife]_{3084-a beautiful wife} , if [he]_145-hamlin chose . Do [you]_171-anne know what it is ? [Your]_171-anne love , eh ? [You]_171-anne have none to give ; [you]_171-anne have said so [yourself]_171-anne . [Your]_171-anne body ? [your]_171-anne honour ? Nay , [every prostitute]_{3085-every prostitute} , [every kitchen slut]_{3086-every kitchen slut} can give [him]_145-hamlin that . And [I]_0-i suppose such things do not exist for [a delicately nurtured lady]_{3087-a delicately nurtured lady} , [a ward of [Mr Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s]_{3088-a ward of mr walter hamlin ’s} . No ; [you]_171-anne are giving [him]_145-hamlin [your]_171-anne soul , selling it to [him]_145-hamlin , prostituting it as [any common woman]_{3089-any common woman} would prostitute [her]_{3089-any common woman} body . ” “_{[223-richard brown]} [Richard]_{223-richard brown} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , hotly , “_{[223-richard brown]} [you]_{223-richard brown} are [[my]_0-i cousin]_{4336-my cousin} , and have been very good to [me]_0-i , but that gives [you]_{223-richard brown} no right to insult [me]_0-i . ” “_[0-i] [My]_0-i words are ugly ; and what are the things which [you]_171-anne would do ? [Anne]_171-anne , [you]_171-anne shall listen to [me]_0-i , ” and [he]_{223-richard brown} laid [his]_{223-richard brown} hand heavily on [her]_171-anne arm . “_[171-anne] [You]_{223-richard brown} can make [me]_0-i stand here , ” [she]_0-i answered icily , “_{[223-richard brown]} but [you]_{223-richard brown} can not make [me]_0-i listen . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i can make [you]_{223-richard brown} listen . Oh , [Anne]_171-anne , ” and [his]_{223-richard brown} voice became suddenly supplicating , “_[171-anne] do not be womanish , and refuse to listen because [I]_0-i speak disagreeable things . Answer [me]_0-i , on [your]_171-anne honour : have [I]_0-i a right to let [you]_171-anne sacrifice [your]_171-anne happiness , [your]_171-anne honour , [your]_171-anne usefulness in [the world]_{496-the world} , to let [you]_171-anne defile and ruin all these , by becoming what is equivalent to [a mere legalised mistress]_{3092-a mere legalised mistress} — [the wife of [a man whom [you]_171-anne despise]_{3094-a man whom you despise}]_{3093-the wife of a man whom you despise} ? [You]_171-anne have a debt towards [Hamlin]_145-hamlin : [I]_0-i grant it , though [you]_171-anne must be well aware how little real generosity there was in [his]_145-hamlin choice of [you]_171-anne ; but [you]_171-anne have a debt also towards [yourself]_171-anne . [You]_171-anne have no right to pay for [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s kindness by the falsehood , the degradation , of marrying [a man whom [you]_171-anne do not love]_{3095-a man whom you do not love} , by the sacrifice of all the nobler part of [your]_171-anne nature which [that man]_{1086-that man} will crush out in [you]_171-anne . ” “_{[1086-that man]} If there is anything noble in [me]_0-i , [Dick]_379-hamlin , [no one]_{3899-no one} can ever crush it out ; and [I]_0-i do not see what real degradation there will be in honestly carrying out [my]_0-i part of a bargain which has been honestly carried out towards [me]_0-i . ” [Richard]_{223-richard brown} paused for a minute . “_[0-i] But , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} cried , “_[171-anne] [you]_171-anne mistake , [Anne]_171-anne ; [you]_171-anne forget what that bargain was . ” “_[0-i] No , [I]_0-i do not . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin promised to marry [me]_0-i whenever [I]_0-i should ask [him]_145-hamlin to do so , and — ” “_[145-hamlin] And [he]_145-hamlin left [you]_171-anne free , perfectly free to marry [him]_145-hamlin or not as [you]_171-anne pleased ! ” “_[145-hamlin] [He]_145-hamlin left [me]_0-i free ; and it is just that generosity of [his]_145-hamlin , in binding [himself]_145-hamlin , and not [me]_0-i , which obliges [me]_0-i , if [he]_145-hamlin wants [me]_0-i , to say Yes . ” “_[145-hamlin] That is an absurd quibble , [Anne]_171-anne . If [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s leaving [you]_171-anne free bound [you]_171-anne all the more , why , then , [he]_145-hamlin did not leave [you]_171-anne free , and [you]_171-anne need not be bound by a piece of magnanimity which never existed . ” “_[145-hamlin] On the contrary , [you]_171-anne are quibbling , [Dick]_379-hamlin . [You]_171-anne know very well that [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin meant to leave [me]_0-i free ; and it is for this intention that [I]_0-i am , more than for anything else , grateful . ” [Richard]_{223-richard brown} turned round . “_[0-i] Fool that [I]_0-i am ! ” [he]_145-hamlin cried , “_[0-i] to believe in [you]_171-anne and not see through [[your]_171-anne woman]_{3098-your woman} ’s tergiversation ! [You]_171-anne say [you]_171-anne do not love [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , but [you]_171-anne do ; [you]_171-anne may despise [him]_145-hamlin , feel [his]_145-hamlin emptiness — [I]_0-i grant it all — be dissatisfied with [him]_145-hamlin . Oh , [I]_0-i know it ! But [you]_171-anne love [him]_145-hamlin all the same , and [you]_171-anne would not for [the world]_{496-the world} give [him]_145-hamlin up , even if [he]_145-hamlin asked [you]_171-anne to . ” [Anne]_171-anne laughed bitterly . “_[3959-women] The usual generalisations about [women]_3959-women . Because [I]_0-i will not do a dishonourable thing , [I]_0-i must needs be [a self‐deluding fool]_{3101-a self‐deluding fool} . No ; [I]_0-i do not love [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [I]_0-i love [him]_145-hamlin no more than this ! ” And [Anne]_171-anne broke a twig off a bush and threw it into [the stream]_{6339-the stream} . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i do not ? Then , if [Hamlin]_145-hamlin were to release [you,—if]_{3102-you,—if} [he]_145-hamlin were to say , ‘ [I]_0-i want to marry [some one]_{1380-some one} else,’—would [you]_171-anne — would [you]_171-anne not regret [him]_145-hamlin , [his]_145-hamlin poetry , [his]_145-hamlin good looks , [his]_145-hamlin fame , [his]_145-hamlin fortune ? ” “_[171-anne] It would be the happiest day of [my]_0-i life ! ” cried [poor Anne]_171-anne , despairingly . “_[171-anne] Then that day must come . [Anne]_171-anne , [I]_0-i can not see [you]_171-anne sacrificed . [I]_0-i can not see [you]_171-anne lost to [yourself]_171-anne and to [the world]_{496-the world} . [You]_171-anne must not marry [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [I]_0-i will provide for [you]_171-anne ; [I]_0-i will take care of [you]_171-anne . [You]_171-anne shall help [me]_0-i in [my]_0-i work ! ” “_[171-anne] [Poor Dick]_229-dick ! ” said [Anne]_171-anne gently , touched by this enthusiasm , “_[229-dick] [you]_229-dick are very good ; but [I]_0-i fear — [I]_0-i fear [I]_0-i shall never have any need of [your]_229-dick help ; and [I]_0-i would never burden [another man]_{4053-another man} — never have a debt again — if [I]_0-i were remitted this one . ” “_[171-anne] [You]_171-anne would have no debt , ” cried [Brown]_171-anne . “_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne , [I]_0-i am not [a woman ’s man]_{3106-a woman ’s man} . [I]_0-i do n’t know how to say such things . But ever since [I]_0-i have got really to know [you]_171-anne , [I]_0-i have felt if only [I]_0-i could have such [a woman]_{3960-a woman} as that always by [my]_0-i side — to tell [her]_{3960-a woman} all [my]_0-i plans , and be helped in all [my]_0-i work . . . ” [Richard]_{223-richard brown} looked straight before [him]_{223-richard brown} : [Anne]_171-anne could see [his]_{223-richard brown} face quiver . A coldness came all over [her]_171-anne : a coldness and a heat . [She]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne must cry out . It was too sudden , too wonderful . The vision of being [[Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s wife]_{6340-richard brown ’s wife} overcame [her]_171-anne like some celestial vision [a fasting saint]_{6341-a fasting saint} . But [she]_171-anne made an effort over [herself]_171-anne . “_{[3960-a woman]} [I]_0-i am bound , bound , ” [she]_171-anne said ; “_{[3960-a woman]} but if ever [I]_0-i be released . . . ” [She]_171-anne hesitated : the longing for what [she]_171-anne knew [herself]_171-anne to be renouncing was too great . “_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne , ” cried [Richard]_{223-richard brown} , seizing [her]_171-anne hand , “_[171-anne] [I]_0-i love [you]_171-anne — [I]_0-i love [you]_171-anne — [I]_0-i want [you]_171-anne — [I]_0-i must have [you]_171-anne ! ” It was like the outburst of another nature , a strange , unsuspected ego , bursting out from beneath [the philanthropist]_{6342-the philanthropist} ’s cool and self‐sacrificing surface . That sudden contact gave [Anne]_171-anne a shock which woke [her]_171-anne , restored [her]_171-anne to [herself]_171-anne ; it horrified [her]_171-anne almost . [She]_0-i made [him]_229-dick let go [her]_0-i hand . “_[0-i] If ever [I]_0-i be released , ” [she]_0-i said , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will remain free . [I]_0-i do not love [you]_0-i , [Dick]_229-dick . ” [She]_0-i was sorry the moment after [she]_0-i had said it . “_[229-dick] [I]_0-i have gone too far , ” cried [Richard]_{223-richard brown} . “_[0-i] Good‐bye , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] [We]_3108-we have been talking too long — and — [you]_0-i wo n’t resume the subject , will [you]_0-i ? ” There was a command , a threat implied in [her]_171-anne voice . [Brown]_{223-richard brown} somehow felt ashamed of [himself]_{223-richard brown} . “_[0-i] Not since [you]_0-i wish it , ” [he]_{223-richard brown} said flatly . “_[0-i] Good‐bye , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . And [she]_171-anne walked away and entered [the house]_{509-the house} — [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s house]_{4611-hamlin ’s house} . THE sudden revelation of [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ’s feeling was more than a shock , it was a blow to [Anne]_171-anne . In [her]_171-anne loneliness , in [her]_171-anne dreary waiting for the hour of sacrifice , [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s friendship had , almost without [her]_171-anne knowing it , been [her]_171-anne great consolation and support . It had given [her]_171-anne a sense of safety and repose to think that , in the midst of all the morbid passion and fantastic vanity which seemed to surround [her]_171-anne , there was a possibility of honest companionship , of affection which meant merely reciprocal esteem and sympathy in the objects of life ; wholesome prose in the middle of unhealthy poetry . This was now gone : [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} loved [her]_171-anne , wanted [her]_171-anne ; it was the old nauseous story over again ; the sympathy , the comradeship , the quiet brotherly and sisterly affection had all been a sham , a sham for [her]_171-anne and for [himself]_{223-richard brown} . Was [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} right , and was there , of really genuine and vital in [the world]_{496-the world} , only the desire of [the man]_{757-the man} for [the woman]_{4801-the woman} and of [the woman]_{4801-the woman} for [the man]_{757-the man} , with all its brood of vanity and baseness , and all its trappings of poetry and sympathy and self‐sacrifice ? [Anne]_171-anne looked round [her]_171-anne , and [she]_171-anne saw men like [Chough]_379-hamlin and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} and [Lewis]_353-lewis , base or doing [their]_6351-their best to become it ; [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , [her]_171-anne girlish ideal of poetical love , had gone the same way ; and now [the one man who had remained to [her]_171-anne as [an object of friendship and respect]_{6353-an object of friendship and respect} , [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Dick]_379-hamlin]_{6352-the one man who had remained to her as an object of friendship and respect , her cousin dick} , had preached against selfish æstheticism , had talked [her]_171-anne into [his]_379-hamlin positivistic philanthropy — had conjured [her]_171-anne to respect [her]_171-anne nobler nature , [her]_171-anne soul , [her]_171-anne generous instincts — had supplicated [her]_171-anne not to degrade [herself,—nay]_379-hamlin , had quibbled with right and wrong , had urged [her]_171-anne to break [her]_171-anne trust,—what for ? that [he]_379-hamlin might satisfy [his]_379-hamlin whim of possessing [her]_171-anne . The solitude and the chilliness around [Anne]_171-anne had increased ; [she]_171-anne wished for good , but [she]_171-anne disbelieved in its existence . Add to this that [she]_171-anne felt [she]_171-anne was now no longer at liberty to see so much of [Dick]_379-hamlin as [she]_171-anne had formerly done ; instead of a consolation and a support , [his]_379-hamlin presence seemed to [her]_171-anne now more of a danger and an insult . So [she]_171-anne waited , hopeless and solitary , for the hour of the sacrifice to strike ; for [Hamlin]_379-hamlin to claim [her]_171-anne . To fulfil that debt , to suffer that moral death‐blow , seemed to [her]_171-anne now the one certainty , the one aim of [her]_171-anne life . Such was the bulk of [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s condition ; but there were streakings of another colour which made it , on the whole , only more gloomy . The possibility , the vision which had for a moment been projected on to [her]_171-anne mind , of becoming [[Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ’s wife]_{6340-richard brown ’s wife} , of sharing in all those thoughts and endeavours which were [her]_171-anne highest ideal , would return to [her]_171-anne every now and then in strange sudden gleams . And this possibility , or rather this which was an impossibility , made the real necessity of [her]_171-anne life only the gloomier for the contrast . [Anne]_171-anne had vaguely aspired after a life of nobler sympathies and stronger aims , but [she]_171-anne had never gone so far as to dream of sharing the life of [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ; and [she]_171-anne thought that , had matters been different , had [she]_171-anne been free , had [Hamlin]_379-hamlin not claimed [her]_171-anne , had [Richard]_{223-richard brown} not loved [her]_171-anne ( for [his]_{223-richard brown} love , [his]_{223-richard brown} selfish tempting [her]_171-anne away from [her]_171-anne duty , seemed to [her]_171-anne a sort of dishonour to [him]_{223-richard brown} and [her]_171-anne ) , [she]_171-anne would have had the fulfilment of [her]_171-anne most far‐fetched desires within [her]_171-anne grasp,—merely increased moral numbness , the sullen pain of resignation , towards a fate which was too slow in coming . [Anne]_171-anne did not pay much heed to [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [his]_379-hamlin doings : it seemed to [her]_171-anne , whose life in the last months had appeared like years , that it was always the same monotony ; [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was waiting for [her]_171-anne to fall in love with [him]_379-hamlin , watching whether [she]_171-anne was not in love already ; offering [her]_171-anne , in those vague , Platonic , elegiac speeches of [his]_379-hamlin about the necessity of a higher life of which [he]_379-hamlin no longer had much hope , of a pure passion which [he]_379-hamlin feared [he]_379-hamlin was unworthy to experience , an opportunity for saying “_[0-i] [I]_0-i will teach [you]_3109-you how to love . ” Veiled in Dantesque mysticism , muffled in Shakespearian obscurity , such was , to [her]_171-anne who understood and was expected to understand , the gist of all the poems which [he]_379-hamlin wrote . The day would come , [Anne]_171-anne saw it clearly , when some trifling quarrel , some trifling jealousy , some rebuff to [his]_379-hamlin vanity , or some sense of more than usual vacuity , would get the better of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s patience , and when [he]_379-hamlin would say to [Anne]_171-anne that [he]_379-hamlin loved [her]_171-anne and that [her]_171-anne love was [his]_379-hamlin life . [She]_171-anne had gone over it all so often in fancy , with the bitter sarcasm of understanding that whole , to [her]_171-anne so tragic , little comedy . But had [she]_171-anne been a person more observant and penetrating than [she]_171-anne was ( for [her]_171-anne long delusion about [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Richard]_{223-richard brown} plainly shows that [she]_171-anne was neither ) , or had [she]_171-anne been less engrossed in [her]_171-anne own conception of events , [Miss Brown]_171-anne might have noticed , as spring turned into summer , that certain slight changes were taking place in [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . [He]_379-hamlin had , without any intentional rupture , taken to seeing much less of [Chough]_379-hamlin and [Dennistoun]_{347-dennistoun} ; [he]_379-hamlin scarcely ever visited [[his]_379-hamlin old master]_{6358-his old master} , [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , or [any others of [the school]_{1304-the school}]_{6359-any others of the school} ; [he]_379-hamlin refused invitations to parties , or if [he]_379-hamlin had accepted , found them too great a bore at the last moment ; [the only house , except that at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} , which [he]_379-hamlin frequented]_{6361-the only house , except that at hammersmith , which he frequented} , was [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s]_{6362-madame elaguine ’s} . [He]_379-hamlin used to attend all [her]_{360-madame elaguine} spiritualistic séances , and alternate between finding spiritualism a vulgar fraud and a mystic possibility ; [he]_379-hamlin used to quarrel with [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , and at the same time to seek [his]_379-hamlin company more than [any other man]_{5352-any other man} ’s . [He]_379-hamlin would vacillate also between the most extreme opinions about [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} [Sacha]_386-sacha . One day [he]_379-hamlin would entertain [Anne]_171-anne by the hour about [her]_171-anne virtues , [her]_171-anne talents , [her]_171-anne persecution ; the next [he]_379-hamlin would be captiously fault‐finding , accusing [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} of being [a brainless little flirt]_{6365-a brainless little flirt} , [a mere ordinary Russian , who cared only for excitement and being perpetually en scène]_{6366-a mere ordinary russian , who cared only for excitement and being perpetually en scène} . “_[0-i] What is the use of asking [people]_577-people to be intense when it is not [their]_577-people nature ? ” [Anne]_171-anne would ask , not without bitterness in [her]_171-anne own heart . “_[0-i] If [you]_3111-you find [a pleasant friend]_{3112-a pleasant friend} , be satisfied and thankful for [your]_3111-you good luck . ” Be it as it may , [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was restless , subject to strange ups and downs of humour , sometimes in a state of vague unaccountable cheerfulness , sometimes horribly depressed . To [any one but [Anne]_171-anne]_{6367-any one but anne} it would have occurred that there must be some novelty in [his]_379-hamlin life . But [Anne]_171-anne did not see ; indeed , from a sort of instinct , [she]_171-anne observed [Hamlin]_379-hamlin as little as possible : [she]_171-anne had loved [him]_379-hamlin when [she]_171-anne had not known [him]_379-hamlin ; the less [she]_171-anne saw , except [his]_379-hamlin gentle , chivalric , poetic , idealising surface , the better . But one day — it might be a fortnight after the memorable walk [home]_4170-home from [Richmond]_440-richmond ’s lecture — [Anne]_171-anne found among [her]_171-anne letters one , evidently delivered by hand or dropped into the letterbox , the address upon which . puzzled [her]_171-anne considerably . It was not merely that the handwriting was unknown to [her]_171-anne , but that it was so utterly unlike any human handwriting that could be conceived ; it was like [a child]_{623-a child} ’s elaborate copy of print , but executed with a precision , and at the same time a certain artistic chic , of which [a child]_{623-a child} is incapable . Had [she]_171-anne been in [Italy]_1-italy , [Anne]_171-anne would have expected to find within that envelope one of those marvellously written out and illuminated sonnets which [certain needy individuals]_{6371-certain needy individuals} , [counts]_6372-counts and [marquises]_{6373-marquises} fallen into bad circumstances and anxious to redeem [their]_3113-their only bed from [the pawnbroker]_{6374-the pawnbroker} ’s , serve up at regular intervals to [English and Americans]_{6375-english and americans} , “_[0-i] the many illustrious qualities of whose mind and heart , as well known as [[their]_3113-their noble family]_{3114-their noble family} , ” are supposed to include munificence to [beggars]_6376-beggars . To [Anne]_171-anne ’s astonishment the letter which [she]_171-anne found actually was in Italian . But it was Italian of [Stratford‐atte‐Bow]_{123-stratford‐atte‐bow} , and [her]_171-anne first impulse was to burst out laughing . But the next moment [she]_171-anne reddened with surprise and indignation . “_{[444-madonna mia]} [MADONNA MIA]_{444-madonna mia} , ” began this epistle , which had evidently been concocted with a ‘ Decameron ’ and [a Baedeker]_{445-a baedeker} ’s travelling phrase‐book , and which sounded like English written by [a German waiter who should have taken to [Spenser]_446-spenser after the first dozen lessons,—“Inasmuch_{[3115-the honest]} as it always is the duty of [the honest]_{3115-the honest}]_{6377-a german waiter who should have taken to spenser after the first dozen lessons,—“inasmuch as it always is the duty of the honest} to warn the unsuspecting , and [the most honourable]_{3116-the most honourable} are always those who suspect least , [[your]_3117-your true friend]_{3118-your true friend} and well‐wisher desires [you]_3117-your may keep an eye upon the machinations of [a base woman]_{2716-a base woman} ; and be on [your]_3117-your guard against the friendship [ underlined ] of [cousins]_2104-cousins . ” [Anne]_171-anne turned the note round and round , and read and re‐read it , [her]_171-anne heart beating as if [she]_171-anne had received a slap in the face . “_{[2104-cousins]} The friendship of [cousins]_2104-cousins . ” [Her]_171-anne first thought was that this was an allusion to [herself]_171-anne and [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ; [some one]_{1380-some one} had understood what [she]_171-anne had not , and was suspecting what was not true . But then [her]_171-anne mind picked up that other mysterious phrase , “_{[2716-a base woman]} the machinations of [a base woman]_{2716-a base woman} . ” [The cousins]_{6379-the cousins} were not [herself]_171-anne and [Dick]_379-hamlin , but [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha , and that was [the base woman]_{6380-the base woman} alluded to . It was as if a great light had shone in [Anne]_171-anne ’s face ; [she]_171-anne was dazzled , dazed . The friendship of [two cousins]_{6381-two cousins} ! Was there , then , more than friendship between [them]_{6381-two cousins} ? Did [Hamlin]_379-hamlin love [Sacha]_386-sacha , or [Sacha Hamlin]_447-hamlin ? [Anne]_171-anne gave a great sigh ; but it was a sigh of relief,—the sigh of [the drowning wretch who is dragged on [shore]_6383-shore]_{6382-the drowning wretch who is dragged on shore} — the sigh of [the hunted fugitive who sees [his]_{6384-the hunted fugitive who sees his pursuers} pursuers]_{6384-the hunted fugitive who sees his pursuers} turn back . The friendship of [cousins]_2104-cousins ? Why , then , [she]_171-anne was saved , [she]_171-anne was free ! But [her]_171-anne excitement lasted only a minute . Was [she]_171-anne to believe an anonymous letter , evidently malicious , evidently intended to slander [an innocent woman]_{6386-an innocent woman} , to sow discord or to ruin [her]_{6386-an innocent woman} own happiness ? It was evidently from [an enemy of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s]_{6387-an enemy of madame elaguine ’s} ; it could not be from [a friend of [her]_171-anne own]_{6388-a friend of her own} ; for [a friend]_{4706-a friend} would have spoken to [her]_171-anne clearly and openly , or would have spared [her]_171-anne what , in the eyes of [the world]_{496-the world} , which regarded [her]_171-anne as [[Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s affianced bride]_{6391-hamlin ’s affianced bride} , must have been a horrible revelation . It was an infamous or ridiculous calumny . From whom did it come ? [Anne]_171-anne thought for a long time ; [she]_171-anne counted up [[her]_171-anne own enemies]_{6392-her own enemies} and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s . At one moment [she]_171-anne suspected [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , at another [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ; but [she]_171-anne was too honest to credit [any one of [them]_6394-them]_{6393-any one of them} with such a piece of treachery . [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s mysterious enemies]_{6395-madame elaguine ’s mysterious enemies} — yes , it must be [they]_{6395-madame elaguine ’s mysterious enemies} ! thought [Anne]_171-anne ; it must be a new trick of [theirs]_{6395-madame elaguine ’s mysterious enemies} , a device for alienating [her]_171-anne from [[her]_171-anne new friends]_{6396-her new friends} . [Anne]_171-anne ’s heart sank . Why must such terrible temptations be put upon [her]_171-anne ? [Miss Brown]_171-anne meditated for some time upon what [she]_171-anne ought to do . [She]_171-anne felt indignant with [the mysterious author of the letter]_{6397-the mysterious author of the letter} ; and [she]_171-anne felt that , as it contained a slander , it was [her]_171-anne duty to let [those whom it accused]_{6398-those whom it accused} know the whole matter . Should [she]_171-anne show that paper to [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ? Once in [her]_171-anne life , [Anne]_171-anne gave way to a movement of cowardice . That letter , shown by [her]_171-anne to [Hamlin]_447-hamlin , would , [she]_171-anne knew , bring the catastrophe . [Hamlin]_447-hamlin would be furious and delighted ; [he]_447-hamlin would think [she]_171-anne was jealous and unhappy ; [he]_447-hamlin would on the spot declare that [he]_447-hamlin loved [her]_171-anne , and ask [her]_171-anne to be [[his]_447-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} . This consummation of [her]_171-anne sacrifice , which , in the dull apathy of the last fortnight , [she]_171-anne had almost prayed for , now terrified [her]_171-anne . When it came , [she]_171-anne was ready ; but to hasten it — to bring it down untimely on [herself]_171-anne — to do that , [Anne]_171-anne had not the heart . After all , it concerned [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} most , and [she]_171-anne would doubtless have some clue to [the writer of the letter]_{6400-the writer of the letter} , and consequently take the matter less to heart . [Anne]_171-anne determined to show the letter to [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . [She]_171-anne thought [she]_171-anne would go to [her]_{360-madame elaguine} at once , or write ; but a faint , faint , almost unconscious instinct of self‐preservation bade [her]_171-anne wait awhile ; wait till [she]_171-anne should have an opportunity of seeing [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} in the natural course of events . [Miss Brown]_171-anne had made up [her]_171-anne mind that the mysterious letter had no sort of truth in it ; yet despite this decision , which lay , cut and dry , on the surface of [her]_171-anne consciousness , a hidden imperceptible movement was going on within [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne seemed suddenly to remember things which [she]_171-anne had not at the time noticed , to see things which had not before existed , and must still have been there yesterday as well as to‐day . Things which had been meaningless acquired a meaning ; things which had seemed without connection began to group [themselves]_{6401-themselves} . A change had taken place of late in [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ; [he]_447-hamlin had become solitary and morose , and more than usually up and down in spirits — [he]_447-hamlin had seen only [Sacha]_447-hamlin and [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . How much had [he]_447-hamlin seen of [Sacha]_447-hamlin ? [Anne]_171-anne did not know , but [she]_171-anne imagined a great deal . Then [she]_171-anne remembered how [he]_447-hamlin had taken to finding fault with [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} , to running [her]_{4885-the little woman} down systematically to [himself]_447-hamlin and to [Anne]_171-anne . Could it be that [he]_447-hamlin felt [himself]_447-hamlin tempted to break [his]_447-hamlin engagement ? [Anne]_171-anne knew [Hamlin]_447-hamlin too well by this time to credit [him]_447-hamlin with that . If such a thing should happen,—if , finding insensibly that [Anne]_171-anne was not what [he]_447-hamlin had imagined , disappointed with [her]_171-anne coldness , hurt by [her]_171-anne censoriousness , and attracted by [a woman who was everything that [she]_171-anne was not]_{6403-a woman who was everything that she was not} — [Hamlin]_447-hamlin should ever come to feel for [Sacha]_447-hamlin more than mere friendship , it was not in [his]_447-hamlin nature to perceive [his]_447-hamlin danger and to struggle ; [he]_447-hamlin would let [himself]_447-hamlin go to sleep in the pleasantness of a new sensation , [he]_447-hamlin would drift on vaguely , and start up in surprise . A new love was for [him]_447-hamlin the most poignant of temptations,—a new love in its still half‐unconscious , Platonic , vague condition ; and [he]_447-hamlin was not [a man to resist such a temptation]_{6404-a man to resist such a temptation} ; indeed [he]_447-hamlin had gone through life with the philosophy that [a poet]_{498-a poet} may dally with any emotion , however questionable , as long as [he]_447-hamlin does not actually commit a dishonourable action . Oh no , [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s ups and downs could not be struggles or remorse ; so [Anne]_171-anne decided that it was all fancy , all calumny . And [she]_171-anne determined to give the letter to [Sacha]_447-hamlin on the first opportunity . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} at last made up [her]_{360-madame elaguine} mind that [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} little [Helen]_415-helen]_{6406-her little helen} ought to learn something ; and with the impulsiveness of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} nature , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} determined that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} , whom [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had always kept under [her]_{360-madame elaguine} own eyes , should go to [school]_1094-school . Why there should be such a swing of the pendulum , and why [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} should not rather hire [a governess]_{2497-a governess} to teach [the child]_{660-the child} in [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} own house]_{4978-her own house} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne could not explain , except by the capriciousness , the tendency always to be in extremes , of [[Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} . Anyhow , [Sacha]_447-hamlin had determined that [Helen]_415-helen must soon go to [school]_1094-school , and [she]_0-i had written to [Anne]_171-anne begging [her]_171-anne , before [the child]_{660-the child} went , to permit [her]_171-anne to share for a week or two the lessons which [Miss Brown]_171-anne was giving [the little Choughs]_{367-the little choughs} . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i know , ” [she]_0-i wrote , “_[0-i] that [[my]_0-i poor little child]_{3123-my poor little child} is not fit to be turned loose among [other children]_{3124-other children} yet ; [I]_0-i know [she]_{3123-my poor little child} is too ignorant , too sensitive , too much accustomed to life with [[her]_{3123-my poor little child} elders]_{3125-her elders} . To learn with [[Mr Chough]_248-chough ’s children]_{3126-mr chough ’s children} , to play with [them]_{3126-mr chough ’s children} , will take the keen edge off ; and also , [I]_0-i know , [[my]_0-i dearest]_{3127-my dearest} [Anne]_171-anne , that if anything can make this ( [I]_0-i fear , alas ! alas ! to [my]_0-i shame ) over‐sensitive and self‐willed little savage more human , more desirous of being good , and of raising [herself]_{3123-my poor little child} , it will be [your]_171-anne influence . [I]_0-i have often felt what it would have been for [me]_0-i to have had [a friend]_{4706-a friend} like [you]_171-anne , and [I]_0-i feel what it will be for [[my]_0-i child]_{2725-my child} . ” [Anne]_171-anne was touched by this letter . [Poor Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , although [she]_{360-madame elaguine} did care too much for [Baudelaire]_{344-baudelaire} and [Gautier]_343-gautier , and did tell too many anecdotes about [[married women]_{6414-married women} ’s lovers]_{6415-married women ’s lovers} and [married men]_{6416-married men} ’s cocottes for [Anne]_171-anne ’s taste , was yet [a good and brave little woman]_{6417-a good and brave little woman} ; and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} must be helped , if [one]_620-one could help [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . And [Anne]_171-anne was doubly indignant about that anonymous letter [she]_171-anne put in [her]_171-anne pocket , and went to call on [[Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was in one of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} unstrung moments . [Anne]_171-anne found [her]_{360-madame elaguine} lying on a sofa , a heap of books about [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , reading none , fidgety and vacant . [She]_171-anne brightened up for a moment on [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s entry , and received [her]_{360-madame elaguine} with a kind of rapturous gratitude , quite out of all proportion ; but [she]_{360-madame elaguine} speedily relapsed into [her]_{360-madame elaguine} depressed condition . [Anne]_171-anne thought it better not to introduce the business at once . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i want to know , ” [she]_0-i said , “_[3130-you] why [you]_3130-you are suddenly so anxious to send [[your]_3130-you little [Helen]_415-helen]_{3131-your little helen} to [school]_1094-school , when [you]_3130-you said , only a few days ago , that [you]_3130-you could not bear even that [a stranger]_{661-a stranger} should have any influence upon [her]_415-helen . ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} hesitated . “_[3130-you] Oh , dear [Anne]_171-anne , ” [she]_0-i suddenly exclaimed , “_[3130-you] [I]_0-i am [a poor , weak , vacillating creature]_{3134-a poor , weak , vacillating creature} , always in excesses . [You]_171-anne must have pity on [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i suppose it is just because [I]_0-i was so horribly selfish about [[my]_0-i child]_{2725-my child} that [I]_0-i have been crushed suddenly with the necessity of sacrificing [my]_0-i feelings completely . It comes home to [me]_0-i — and oh , [you]_171-anne can not think what it means to me!—that [I]_0-i am ruining [[my]_0-i child]_{2725-my child} , that [she]_{2725-my child} will turn out merely another [myself]_0-i — [another wretched , weak , unhappy creature , with just morality enough to make [her]_{2725-my child} utterly miserable]_{3137-another wretched , weak , unhappy creature , with just morality enough to make her utterly miserable} , and just common‐sense enough to make [her]_{2725-my child} feel [her]_{2725-my child} own silliness . It is a terrible thing for [a mother]_{2075-a mother} to say ; but it is true , and [I]_0-i must say it : [I]_0-i am not fit to bring up [[my]_0-i own child]_{3139-my own child} — [I]_0-i am not worthy to do it . ” [Anne]_171-anne looked at the Russian , who had raised [herself]_0-i on [her]_0-i sofa convulsively , and thatched and torn to pieces a flower which was lying on [her]_0-i , with a great look of pity . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i am not bad ! ” cried [Sacha—“I]_{448-sacha—“i[0-i]} am not bad ! [I]_0-i want to be good ; but [I]_0-i ca n’t . Oh , and [I]_0-i ca n’t teach [[my]_0-i child]_{2725-my child} anything , not even the multiplication table , ” and [she]_0-i suddenly burst out laughing . [Anne]_171-anne did not know whether to cry or to laugh . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i quite understand [your]_0-i wishing that [Helen]_415-helen should get the habit of work , and should learn something , ” [she]_0-i said , in [her]_0-i business‐like way ; “_[0-i] but [I]_0-i can not see the advantage of sending [her]_415-helen to [school]_1094-school . [She]_415-helen is far too nervous and delicate , and far too much accustomed to indulgence , to get anything but harm from [a school]_{2459-a school} . Were [she]_415-helen [a mere strong , sturdy , spoilt child]_{3143-a mere strong , sturdy , spoilt child} , it would do [her]_415-helen an immense deal of good ; but [a child]_{623-a child} , [you]_0-i admit it [yourself]_0-i , so morbidly and almost physically sensitive , would only be miserable at [school]_1094-school , and probably be terrified by unaccustomed discipline and want of sympathy . Do n’t [you]_0-i think it would be wiser to get [Helen]_415-helen [a thoroughly good governess]_{3146-a thoroughly good governess} , so that [she]_415-helen could learn something , and yet be in [[your]_0-i house]_{4310-your house} ? ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i wo n’t have [a governess]_{2497-a governess} ; [they]_3149-they are all good‐for‐nothings . [I]_0-i wo n’t have [spies]_3150-spies in [the house]_{509-the house} ! ” exclaimed [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , vehemently . “_[0-i] Nonsense ! ” said [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[3150-spies] how can [you]_0-i talk like that ? [You]_0-i know that [governesses]_{3152-governesses} are just as good as [schoolmistresses]_{5752-schoolmistresses} ; and for [you]_0-i and [Helen]_415-helen such a plan would be in every way preferable . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i wo n’t have any one in [the house]_{509-the house} to pry into [my]_0-i affairs ! ” repeated [Sacha]_447-hamlin , hotly . “_[415-helen] [Helen]_415-helen must go to [school]_1094-school . ” [Anne]_171-anne felt angry with [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} . “_[415-helen] Of course it is for [you]_0-i to choose , ” [she]_0-i said ; “_[415-helen] but [I]_0-i confess [I]_0-i ca n’t see why [you]_0-i should not have [a governess]_{2497-a governess} any more than [other people]_{665-other people} . ” [She]_0-i felt as if there were something wrong here . “_{[2497-a governess]} And do [you]_0-i forget what [my]_0-i life is ? ” cried [Sacha]_447-hamlin ; “_[0-i] do [you]_0-i forget that [I]_0-i am [the daily , hourly victim of unseen enemies]_{3158-the daily , hourly victim of unseen enemies} ? Would [you]_0-i have [me]_0-i admit [some one to [[my]_0-i house]_{3160-my house}]_{3159-some one to my house} , that [she]_{3159-some one to my house} might play into [their]_3161-their hands , or , at all events , pry into [my]_0-i misfortune ? ” [Anne]_171-anne had forgotten that . How unjust [she]_171-anne was ! “_{[3159-some one to my house]} True , ” [she]_0-i said ; “_{[3159-some one to my house]} [I]_0-i think [we]_3162-we might find [a governess who , even under [your]_0-i circumstances , might be safely admitted into [the house]_{509-the house}]_{3163-a governess who , even under your circumstances , might be safely admitted into the house} . But [I]_0-i can understand [your]_0-i unconquerable aversion to the idea , so [we]_3162-we had better look out for [a school]_{2459-a school} , and , till [one]_620-one is found , [I]_0-i shall be delighted if [you]_0-i will send [Helen]_415-helen to [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i fear [I]_0-i ca n’t do much for [her]_415-helen , but at all events [she]_415-helen will meet [the Choughs]_{3167-the choughs} , who are [very good little girls]_{3168-very good little girls} . ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} rose , and , to [Anne]_171-anne ’s immeasurable surprise , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} flung [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} on [her]_{360-madame elaguine} neck , and began to sob . “_{[3167-the choughs]} Oh [Anne]_171-anne , dearest [Anne]_171-anne , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said , “_[171-anne] [you]_171-anne are so good to [me]_0-i — so good , so very good — and [I]_0-i do n’t deserve it at all — indeed [I]_0-i know [I]_0-i do n’t . ” “_[0-i] Nonsense ; [you]_171-anne are unwell and unstrung about [Helen]_415-helen , and [you]_171-anne are just making [yourself]_171-anne miserable . Do try and be quiet , and reflect that there is nothing whatever to be miserable about . ” [Somehow]_449-somehow or other [Miss Brown]_171-anne , for all [her]_171-anne good‐nature , always had a harsh instinct whenever [she]_171-anne saw [Sacha]_447-hamlin in such a condition as this — an instinct that [the Russian]_{413-the russian} could prevent it — that such fits of tears and abjectness were mere self‐indulgence , and self‐indulgence which was utterly incompatible with [Anne]_171-anne ’s idea of self‐respect . But [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} could not be reined in . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} fell back in an arm‐chair in an agony of hysterical sobbing , mixed with ghastly laughing . “_[171-anne] It is not nonsense ; it is true — it is true ; [I]_0-i do n’t deserve it . [I]_0-i deserve that [you]_171-anne should hate [me]_0-i . Oh [Anne]_171-anne , [you]_171-anne must hate [me]_0-i ; but it is not [my]_0-i fault . [I]_0-i hate [him]_3169-him ! [I]_0-i have always hated [him]_3169-him ! [I]_0-i have told [him]_3169-him so ; but [he]_3169-him wo n’t believe . Oh , indeed it is not [my]_0-i fault . But of course [you]_171-anne hate [me]_0-i , [you]_171-anne . . . ” and [she]_0-i suddenly burst out laughing . [Anne]_171-anne was very white . [She]_0-i had heard and [she]_0-i had understood ; but [she]_0-i had no right to have heard or to have understood . Suddenly [Sacha]_447-hamlin started up and looked strangely about [her]_0-i . “_[171-anne] What ! [you]_171-anne are here ? ” [she]_0-i asked , with a start as if of terror . “_[171-anne] Oh , what have [I]_0-i been talking about ? Oh , [I]_0-i am sure [I]_0-i have been talking nonsense ! ” “_[0-i] [Poor little woman]_{2410-poor little woman} ! ” said [Anne]_171-anne ; “_[171-anne] yes , [you]_171-anne have been talking nonsense ; [you]_171-anne are afraid of having [a governess]_{2497-a governess} for [Helen]_415-helen , lest — ” “_{[2497-a governess]} Ah ! ” cried [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , with a sigh of relief . “_{[2497-a governess]} Oh , [you]_171-anne do n’t know what it is to have such a fit . [One]_620-one feels [one]_620-one is talking lies , and yet that one must go on . [I]_0-i never had any such things before [they]_3174-they began to persecute [me]_0-i . It is almost the worst part of [my]_0-i misfortune . Fancy seeing , feeling [one]_620-one ’s self becoming day by day more abject , and being unable to stop it . Oh , [I]_0-i still feel so frightened ! something dreadful must have happened while [I]_0-i had that fit just now . Do call for some tea , [Anne]_171-anne , [darling]_4379-darling ; [I]_0-i feel so shaken , as if something had happened . ” “_[0-i] [You]_171-anne will feel all right when [you]_171-anne have had some tea , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . “_[3174-they] Tell [me]_0-i , have [they]_3174-they , have [those people]_{2016-those people} been frightening [you]_171-anne of late ? ” [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} nodded . “_[3174-they] Only last night ; [you]_171-anne do n’t know what happened . [I]_0-i did n’t intend telling [you]_171-anne — look here — but it is that that has put [me]_0-i into such a state , ” and opening the door of [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} bedroom]_{4654-her bedroom} , [Sachs]_450-sachs pointed to the wall opposite . Over [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s bed hung a painted portrait of [little Helen]_415-helen ; but where the face should have been was a dark spot . “_[3174-they] Good heavens ! what have [they]_3174-they done ? ” cried [Anne]_171-anne . “_[3174-they] Oh , [they]_3174-they have only cut out [Mademoiselle Hélène]_{416-mademoiselle hélène} ’s face , ” said [the Swiss maid]_{6006-the swiss maid} , who was sitting in [the room]_{574-the room} , with a shrug . “_[3174-they] For [my]_0-i part , [I]_0-i am accustomed to such tricks , and so , [I]_0-i should think , must be [Madame]_{360-madame elaguine} also . ” Something cynical and insolent in [the woman]_{4801-the woman} struck [Anne]_171-anne very much . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} How horrible ! ” [she]_0-i said , leading [Sacha]_447-hamlin back to [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} [I]_0-i can quite understand [your]_3178-you being excited to‐day , and feeling anxious about [Helen]_415-helen . ” “_[3178-you] It is because of that , ” said [Sacha]_447-hamlin , with clenched teeth , “_[0-i] that [I]_0-i want to send [Helen]_415-helen to [school]_1094-school . [She]_415-helen will be safer [there]_4426-there than [here]_3884-here . If things go on as now , [I]_0-i shall have to send [Helen]_415-helen to [a convent]_{3182-a convent} ; [I]_0-i am no protection to [her]_415-helen . ” “_[3178-you] [You]_3178-you must marry , and have [a husband]_{4417-a husband} to take care of [you]_3178-you , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , quietly . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} turned scarlet . Was [she]_{360-madame elaguine} afraid of having let out [her]_{360-madame elaguine} secret ? But to [Anne]_171-anne ’s surprise , instead of looking anxious , a sudden look of triumphant amusement passed over [her]_{360-madame elaguine} face , a strange brazen look , and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} burst out laughing — “_{[4417-a husband]} Ah yes , marry!—that would be a fine idea!—and whom , pray ? Perhaps [Lewis]_353-lewis or [Chough]_248-chough . True — [I]_0-i forgot — [he]_{4417-a husband} has [a wife]_{4932-a wife} ! Ah no , a rolling stone like [me]_0-i must always be solitary . ” “_[3178-you] [You]_3178-you need not always be a rolling stone , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , gently . “_[3178-you] But [I]_0-i must go — good‐bye , dear [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . ” At the door [she]_171-anne met [Hamlin]_447-hamlin . It seemed to [her]_171-anne that [he]_447-hamlin looked guilty , and coloured . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} [I]_0-i have been to see [[your]_0-i cousin]_{4341-your cousin} ; [she]_{4341-your cousin} has had another horrid trick played to [her]_{4341-your cousin} . Go up to [her]_{4341-your cousin} , it will do [her]_{4341-your cousin} good to see [you]_0-i ; [she]_{4341-your cousin} is very lonely , [poor little woman]_{2410-poor little woman} . ” [Hamlin]_447-hamlin was unnerved by the allusion to the persecution . [He]_447-hamlin stood silent for a moment , with a long lingering look on [Anne]_171-anne , like [a man making a mental comparison]_{6426-a man making a mental comparison} . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i are very good , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ” [he]_447-hamlin said , slowly ; “_[171-anne] there is [no other woman in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{3187-no other woman in the world} like [you]_0-i . ” “_[447-hamlin] [Sacha]_447-hamlin has been more tried than [I]_0-i , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne . And [Hamlin]_447-hamlin went up and [Miss Brown]_171-anne went out . [MISS BROWN]_171-anne did not hand over the anonymous letter either to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} or to [Hamlin]_447-hamlin . [She]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne had now no longer a right to do so . [Sacha]_447-hamlin had , in the vague pouring out of words of that fit which [Anne]_171-anne had witnessed , let out [her]_171-anne secret ; but [Anne]_171-anne had no right to use it or to act upon it . [She]_171-anne could only watch and wait . Wait!—but in what a different spirit ! Wait , not for the hour of death , but for the moment of freedom , of complete freedom . “_[447-hamlin] What has happened to [you]_0-i ? ” asked [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , meeting [her]_0-i on [her]_0-i way back from [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s]_{6362-madame elaguine ’s} . “_[447-hamlin] Why , [you]_0-i look quite [another being]_{3189-another being} , [Anne]_171-anne — as if [some one]_{1380-some one} had left [you]_0-i a fortune ! ” “_{[3899-no one]} [No one]_{3899-no one} has left [me]_0-i anything , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . “_{[3899-no one]} [I]_0-i feel very happy , that ’s all . ” “_[0-i] But where in all this wretched [London]_4-london have [you]_0-i been that [you]_0-i should feel happy ? ” [Anne]_171-anne laughed . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have been to see [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . ” [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} frowned . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} Well , that would n’t be enough to make [me]_0-i feel happy , [I]_0-i confess . Was [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin [there]_4426-there ? [I]_0-i believe it ’s [his]_145-hamlin safest address now , is n’t it ? ” “_[145-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin was [there]_4426-there , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , sternly . “_[145-hamlin] Mark [my]_0-i words ! ” said [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} that evening to [[her]_0-i father]_{4143-her father} and [husband]_706-husband , and to [one or two of [those well‐thinking æsthetes de la vieille roche]_{6431-those well‐thinking æsthetes de la vieille roche} , whom [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had basely deserted]_{6430-one or two of those well‐thinking æsthetes de la vieille roche , whom hamlin had basely deserted} . “_[145-hamlin] Mark [my]_0-i words ! [Anne Brown]_171-anne has got impatient with all this philandering of [Walter]_145-hamlin ’s about [that precious Russian of [his]_145-hamlin]_{3194-that precious russian of his} . There has been a grand scene , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin has come round to reason . [I]_0-i met [her]_3195-she returning from [that Elaguine woman]_{3196-that elaguine woman} ’s to‐day , and [she]_3195-she never looked so happy in [her]_3195-she life . [She]_3195-she said [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had been [there]_4426-there , and [I]_0-i know that [she]_3195-she gave [them]_3198-them both a bit of [her]_3195-she mind . [She]_3195-she ’s [a proud woman]_{3199-a proud woman} , [Anne Brown]_171-anne , and could squash [that little Russian vixen]_{3200-that little russian vixen} like that ! ” “_{[3200-that little russian vixen]} But , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} [Edith]_286-edith , ” objected [[her]_286-edith father]_{4143-her father} , seated among [an admiring crowd in [[his]_{4143-her father} dusty studio at [Hampstead]_83-hampstead]_{6434-his dusty studio at hampstead}]_{6433-an admiring crowd in his dusty studio at hampstead} , among [his]_{4143-her father} ghastly Saviours on [gilded grounds]_{6435-gilded grounds} , and Nativities , in despite of perspective—“how_[286-edith] de [ye]_286-edith know that there ’s ever been any philandering between [’em]_3202-’em ? ” “_[286-edith] Oh [papa]_3893-papa , really now [you]_3893-papa are too provoking ! ” “_[3893-papa] Oh , [Mr Saunders]_{451-mr saunders} , how do [we]_3204-we know anything ? ” chorussed [the two or three elderly poetesses]_{6436-the two or three elderly poetesses} and [untidy Giottesque painters of the circle]_{6437-untidy giottesque painters of the circle} . “_{[451-mr saunders]} P’raps [ye]_286-edith do n’t know anything , any of [ye]_286-edith ! ” [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} sighed , as much as to say , “_{[451-mr saunders]} See what it is to be [the long‐suffering daughter of the greatest genius in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{3205-the long‐suffering daughter of the greatest genius in the world} , and pity [me]_0-i ! ” [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough had been reading some of [his]_3207-he ‘ Triumph of Womanhood , ’ lying on the hearth‐rug in [the studio]_{795-the studio} . “_[3207-he] Do [you]_286-edith think [he]_3207-he has proposed ? ” [he]_3207-he asked , darting up , with beaming eyes . “_[3207-he] Proposed ! [I]_0-i should think so , and been told not to play such tricks again . ” “_[0-i] Ah ! ” cried [Chough]_248-chough , “_[0-i] thank heaven . [I]_0-i — [I]_0-i — ” but [he]_3207-he stopped . “_[0-i] [You]_286-edith shall send [Anne]_171-anne [your]_171-anne Ginevra in [the Tomb]_{3208-the tomb} , [papa]_3893-papa , as a wedding present . ” “_[3893-papa] Do n’t be in too great a hurry , ” said [old Saunders]_{451-mr saunders} ; whereupon [he]_{451-mr saunders} was jeered at with all the respect due to so great [an artist]_{3956-an artist} . For the first time after so long , [Anne]_171-anne felt happy . A load was off [her]_171-anne mind . That [Hamlin]_145-hamlin should love [Sacha]_447-hamlin , and [Sacha Hamlin]_447-hamlin , was the miracle which alone could release [her]_171-anne , and releasing [her]_171-anne , put an end at the same time to the horrible false position into which [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s self‐engagement to [a woman so different from [himself]_447-hamlin created for [him]_447-hamlin also in the future]_{6440-a woman so different from himself created for him also in the future} . And now only did it strike [Anne]_171-anne that perhaps [she]_171-anne had no right towards [Hamlin]_447-hamlin to pay off [her]_171-anne debt of gratitude at the expense of what might be [his]_447-hamlin future misery as well as [hers]_171-anne . Had [Hamlin]_447-hamlin been sufficiently infatuated to wish to marry [a woman whom [he]_447-hamlin did not really and solidly love]_{6441-a woman whom he did not really and solidly love} , would it have been right on [her]_171-anne part to let [him]_447-hamlin have [his]_447-hamlin way ? All these doubts , which [she]_171-anne had previously put behind [her]_171-anne , as mere selfish sophistry to tempt [her]_171-anne from [her]_171-anne duty , now rushed [home]_4170-home to [her]_171-anne . But they came no longer to torment , but to add to the relief , the cessation of bondage . [Hamlin]_447-hamlin would never , [she]_171-anne said to [herself]_171-anne , have been really happy with [her]_171-anne as [a wife]_{4932-a wife} ; and now it happened that [he]_447-hamlin had met [the woman who , whatever [her]_171-anne shortcomings , seemed to suit [him]_447-hamlin]_{6444-the woman who , whatever her shortcomings , seemed to suit him} . That [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha was [an undisciplined , thoughtless , rather sensuous woman , loving excitement and art]_{6445-an undisciplined , thoughtless , rather sensuous woman , loving excitement and art} , and indifferent to abstract good and evil , [Anne]_171-anne fully admitted ; but were not these the very qualities which would make [her]_171-anne appreciate what in [Hamlin]_447-hamlin was original and charming , and blind [her]_171-anne , for [her]_171-anne happiness ( and added [Anne]_171-anne , convinced by sad failure of the futility of trying to change [people]_577-people ’s nature ) and for [his]_447-hamlin , to [his]_447-hamlin weak sides ? And [Sacha]_386-sacha had just that exuberant passionateness , more of the temperament and the fancy than of the heart , which [Hamlin]_447-hamlin required , and which [she]_171-anne , [Anne]_171-anne , so lamentably lacked . For [Sacha]_386-sacha also it would mean a new life : it would mean , for [the poor , excitable little woman , always defrauded of affection and of an object of adoration]_{6447-the poor , excitable little woman , always defrauded of affection and of an object of adoration} , a reality in [her]_171-anne life , something to love , to worship , to pet , to flatter — something to make [her]_171-anne forget [her]_171-anne miserable bedraggled childhood , [her]_171-anne wretched married life , [her]_171-anne persecution and [her]_171-anne maladies . This it would mean to [them]_6448-them ; and to [Anne]_171-anne it would mean . . . Ah ! [Anne]_171-anne did not dare to think what it would mean for [her]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne was not yet sure . [She]_171-anne might be mistaken , [she]_171-anne was still bound to doubt . And still , that great bliss , at which [Anne]_171-anne was afraid to look , meant only what to [other women]_{1523-other women} would have been a poor gift : liberty to gain [her]_171-anne bread , to feel and think for [herself]_171-anne — a life ’s solitude . Days passed on ; and [Anne]_171-anne , instead of being , as [she]_171-anne expected , disappointed , was confirmed by every little thing in [her]_171-anne belief . On one pretext or other , [Hamlin]_447-hamlin was perpetually at [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s . The latest excuse for seeing [her]_171-anne was to paint [her]_171-anne portrait ; so , for a number of days , [Sacha]_447-hamlin came every morning to [the house at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith}]_{4915-the house at hammersmith} , and spent a couple of hours at least closeted with [Hamlin]_447-hamlin in [the studio]_{795-the studio} . [Anne]_171-anne usually received [her]_171-anne , and [she]_171-anne frequently stayed to lunch ; and [Miss Brown]_171-anne could not help feeling indignant at the coolness with which [Hamlin]_447-hamlin amused [himself]_447-hamlin playing with [two women]_{6452-two women} : [he]_447-hamlin was perpetually trailing after [Sacha]_447-hamlin , [he]_447-hamlin was perpetually , [she]_171-anne felt persuaded , talking about life and love and [himself]_447-hamlin in a way which was equivalent to making love to [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} ; and yet , [he]_447-hamlin would still come and sit at [Anne]_171-anne ’s feet , and represent [himself]_447-hamlin as [the dejected and heartbroken creature whom only [a strong and pure woman]_{6455-a strong and pure woman} could help]_{6454-the dejected and heartbroken creature whom only a strong and pure woman could help} . Once , [Miss Brown]_171-anne had considerable difficulty in restraining [herself]_171-anne when , after a day spent with [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , [he]_447-hamlin came in the evening to [her]_171-anne , and began the usual talk about [his]_447-hamlin soul being shrivelled up . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i feel [I]_0-i am not worthy to live ! ” [he]_447-hamlin exclaimed . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i have become too weak and selfish to enjoy [the world]_{496-the world} ; [I]_0-i feel that [I]_0-i am sinking into a bog of meanness and sensuality ; and yet [I]_0-i can not even become the mere beast that [I]_0-i ought — the mere beast that would be satisfied with the mud . [I]_0-i keep looking up , and longing for higher things which [I]_0-i can not attain . ” “_[0-i] How very sad ! ” said [Anne]_171-anne , icily ; “_[0-i] what a pity [you]_0-i ca n’t make up [your]_0-i mind ! it would save [you]_0-i much valuable time . But then , [I]_0-i suppose , it always comes in usefully for sonnets . That is the great advantage of being [a poet]_{498-a poet} . ” [Hamlin]_447-hamlin was silent . [He]_447-hamlin had — [she]_171-anne felt sure , and [she]_171-anne was indignant as if at an affront — imagined that [he]_447-hamlin might tempt [her]_171-anne into saying—“I_[0-i] will raise [you]_0-i , ” while [[his]_447-hamlin poor , giddy , irresponsible cousin]_{6457-his poor , giddy , irresponsible cousin} was being dragged further and further into a passion which [she]_171-anne would never recover from — for [she]_171-anne , at least , had a heart and [he]_447-hamlin had none . “_[0-i] [You]_0-i despise [me]_0-i ! ” cried [Hamlin]_447-hamlin , after a minute . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i thought [your]_0-i indecision between the bog and the stars rather contemptible , certainly , just now . But [I]_0-i now see that such conditions are as necessary to [you]_0-i as [a poet]_{498-a poet} as are [your]_0-i lay figures and studio properties to [you]_0-i as [a painter]_{500-a painter} . It was [my]_0-i ignorance . ” [Hamlin]_447-hamlin fixed [his]_447-hamlin eyes on the ground . [He]_447-hamlin looked very weak and miserable , and like [a man who feels that [he]_{6458-a man who feels that he has dishonoured himself in some way} has dishonoured [himself]_{6458-a man who feels that he has dishonoured himself in some way} in some way]_{6458-a man who feels that he has dishonoured himself in some way} . But to [Anne]_171-anne it was all merely a piece of acting — the climax of that long and nauseous comedy of self‐reproach and self‐sympathising , of pretending to hanker after evil and good , that was equally indifferent to him,—that comedy which had begun long ago in [his]_447-hamlin letters to [her]_171-anne at [Coblenz]_51-coblenz , which [she]_171-anne had watched with admiration , and love , and agony at first , and with contempt and disgust at last . And [she]_171-anne was hardened towards [him]_447-hamlin . [She]_171-anne could have said to him—“Go_[0-i] and marry [Sacha]_447-hamlin ! ” only that at this moment such a notion seemed an insult to [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , and that a horrible fear possessed [her]_171-anne that [he]_447-hamlin would seize upon that , and try and work [her]_171-anne and [her]_171-anne anger into this very patchwork of artificial and morbid sentiment over which [he]_447-hamlin was for ever gloating . Once or twice , indeed , it did occur to [Anne]_171-anne that perhaps this whole flirtation with [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had been got up by [Hamlin]_447-hamlin for [her]_171-anne , benefit ; that [he]_447-hamlin was playing with the heart of [the foolish little woman]_{6460-the foolish little woman} ( who did not realise that [he]_447-hamlin was making [her]_{6460-the foolish little woman} love [him]_447-hamlin ) merely to provoke [Anne]_171-anne ’s jealousy — to move [her]_171-anne by this means , since [he]_447-hamlin had failed by every other . But even if it had been thus begun , and [Miss Brown]_171-anne shrank from believing that [Hamlin]_447-hamlin would have been so deliberately base , it was clear that the comedy had become reality — that [he]_447-hamlin cared for [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} and [she]_171-anne for [him]_447-hamlin . Perhaps — perhaps — all this remorse was real after all . But [Anne]_171-anne ’s heart had got hardened against [him]_447-hamlin : [she]_171-anne could no longer , do what [he]_447-hamlin liked , believe that there was anything genuine in [him]_447-hamlin . Meanwhile [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s perpetual attendance on [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had become apparent to [every one]_{4712-every one} ; and even [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} admitted to [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} father]_{4143-her father} that [Hamlin]_447-hamlin could not have proposed that day [she]_{288-mrs spencer} had met [Anne]_171-anne . “_[447-hamlin] That is to say — mind [you]_3214-you , [I]_0-i daresay [he]_3215-he actually did propose ; but [that wretched woman]_{3216-that wretched woman} somehow contrived to talk [him]_3215-he over again . [I]_0-i believe [she]_{3216-that wretched woman} ’s capable of everything ! ” “_{[3216-that wretched woman]} Well , [[my]_0-i dear]_{4237-my dear} , ” said [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} father]_{4143-her father} , “_{[3216-that wretched woman]} it goes a little against [your]_{4237-my dear} theory that [Miss Brown]_171-anne looks just as happy as possible . ” “_[171-anne] Because [she]_{3216-that wretched woman} ’s too honourable to believe ! ” exclaimed [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ; and forgetting the many acrimonious remarks in which [she]_{288-mrs spencer} had indulged against [Miss Brown]_171-anne , and the many times [she]_{288-mrs spencer} had sighed at [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin taking up with a “_{[3216-that wretched woman]} mere soulless Italian ” instead of with this or the other Sappho or Properzia dei Rossi of [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} circle]_{6465-her circle} , [she]_{288-mrs spencer} added—“I_{[3218-one of the noblest women in the world]} always knew that [Anne]_171-anne was [one of [the noblest women in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{3219-the noblest women in the world}]_{3218-one of the noblest women in the world} ; and [the nobler women]_{3221-the nobler women} are , the less will [they]_{3221-the nobler women} believe in the baseness of [men]_4644-men . For [my]_0-i part , [I]_0-i think love and marriage are the greatest curses of [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ’s life . ” In which [sentiment poor Mr Spencer]_{357-mr spencer} modestly acquiesced . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i shall have to warn [her]_171-anne some day , if [no one else]_{1033-no one else} has the courage to do so , ” [she]_0-i said . Of course [no one else]_{1033-no one else} did have the courage . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis became every day more and more offensive in manner to [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; [he]_353-lewis hated [her]_171-anne , and [he]_353-lewis enjoyed seeing [her]_171-anne what [he]_353-lewis considered ousted . [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , although [she]_171-anne went on abusing [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} for being [the Sacha of other days]_{6467-the sacha of other days} , lived too much in [[her]_171-anne bedroom]_{4654-her bedroom} , saw too little of what was going on even in [the house]_{509-the house} , to guess at anything . [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} and [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory looked on in wonder and indignation ; but [Anne]_171-anne ’s calm and cheerful manner forbade [their]_6470-their saying anything . Did not [Anne]_171-anne know better than [any one]_{4101-any one} how [Hamlin]_145-hamlin felt towards [her]_171-anne ? and if [Anne]_171-anne was satisfied , must it not all be a delusion ? “_[0-i] Besides , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin is too honourable , ” said [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} , forgetting about the letter to [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} ; “_[145-hamlin] and how could [a poet]_{498-a poet} , [an artist]_{3956-an artist} , prefer [an odious , rowdy , hysterical creature]_{3227-an odious , rowdy , hysterical creature} like [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} to such a being as [Anne Brown]_171-anne ? ” The mere thought seemed a profanation . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t think [Hamlin]_145-hamlin is a bit noble , ” said [Marjory]_249-marjory , sternly ; “_[145-hamlin] and [such a little wretch]_{3228-such a little wretch} is just likely to pamper [his]_145-hamlin vanity — and [Anne]_171-anne is too honest to do that . ” “_[171-anne] [Every man]_{5756-every man} has a nobler and a baser side , ” said [Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} , mercifully . “_[171-anne] [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ( though [I]_0-i think it very uncharitable to hate [her]_{360-madame elaguine} because [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is a little rowdy , and [I]_0-i ’m sure [she]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s quite innocent ) may flatter [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s worse part . But [the nobler]_{3230-the nobler} will always have its way , and with it [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [Walter]_145-hamlin is weak , but [he]_145-hamlin can see the difference between [an inferior woman]_{3231-an inferior woman} and [a superior one]_{3232-a superior one} . Besides , after all , [she]_171-anne is [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , and [I]_0-i see no reason to go tittle‐tattling because [two cousins]_{6381-two cousins} are [friends]_4095-friends . ” “_[0-i] That ’s the way [Harry]_{376-harry collett} pays off [Hamlin]_145-hamlin for writing that beastly letter about [me]_0-i ! ” said [Marjory]_249-marjory to [[her]_249-marjory sister]_{603-her sister} , when [Mr Collett]_{427-mr collett} was gone . “_[145-hamlin] How [I]_0-i do hate evangelical charity ! how [I]_0-i do wish [Harry]_{376-harry collett} had just a little of the bad in [him]_145-hamlin ! ” [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} laughed , and catching hold of [Marjory]_249-marjory , kissed [her]_{603-her sister} . “_[0-i] What do [you]_0-i mean ? ” cried [Marjory]_249-marjory , indignantly breaking loose . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i mean , [Marjory]_249-marjory dear , that though [you]_249-marjory imagine the contrary , [you]_249-marjory are very , very glad that [Harry]_{376-harry collett} is just what [he]_145-hamlin is . ” “_[0-i] Well , perhaps [I]_0-i am . But still , oh , [I]_0-i do hate . . . ” And thus [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} , being very happy [themselves]_{327-the leighs} , forgot [Anne Brown]_171-anne ’s supposed grievances , even as the best of [us]_6473-us , being happy , will forget the wrongs of [others]_4163-others . But there was [one person who could not forget what seemed to [him]_145-hamlin the most frightful sacrilege in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{6475-one person who could not forget what seemed to him the most frightful sacrilege in the world} ; and [that person]_{4730-that person} was [Mr Cosmo Chough]_248-chough . [He]_{4730-that person} considered [himself]_{4730-that person} as [the assistant high priest of the divinity called [Anne Brown]_171-anne]_{6478-the assistant high priest of the divinity called anne brown} , and [he]_{4730-that person} believed that it was [his]_{4730-that person} duty to bring back [the high priest]_{6479-the high priest} in person , namely [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , to the worship from which the powers of evil had momentarily seduced [him]_{4730-that person} . But [he]_{4730-that person} thought it more simple to apply to [the offended goddess]_{6480-the offended goddess} than to [[her]_{6480-the offended goddess} recalcitrant priest]_{6481-her recalcitrant priest} , who , to tell the truth , had treated [his]_{4730-that person} vague remarks with considerable scorn . Accordingly , one day ( [June]_452-june had come round now ) [Miss Brown]_171-anne was informed that [Mr Cosmo Chough]_248-chough desired to see [her]_171-anne . “_[0-i] How ao [you]_3236-you do , [Mr Chough]_248-chough ? ” said [Anne]_171-anne , stretching out [her]_171-anne hand to [the little man , who came in with even more than usually brushed coat and hat , and more than usually blacked boots]_{6482-the little man , who came in with even more than usually brushed coat and hat , and more than usually blacked boots} , [his]_{6482-the little man , who came in with even more than usually brushed coat and hat , and more than usually blacked boots} lips squeezed into a long , cat‐like grimace of solemnity , [his]_{6482-the little man , who came in with even more than usually brushed coat and hat , and more than usually blacked boots} brows knit gloomily , and walking on the tips of [his]_{6482-the little man , who came in with even more than usually brushed coat and hat , and more than usually blacked boots} toes like [an operatic conspirator]_{6483-an operatic conspirator} . [Mr Chough]_248-chough sat down and sighed . “_[248-chough] Will [you]_3236-you have some tea ? ” asked [Miss Brown]_171-anne , with [her]_171-anne hand on the bell . [The poet of womanhood]_{6484-the poet of womanhood} darted up , laid one hand lightly on [Anne]_171-anne ’s arm , and opening and straightening out the other with an eloquent gesture , said — “_[0-i] Excuse [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i would rather have no tea . [I]_0-i want [your]_3236-you attention — [your]_3236-you best attention — seriously and at once . ” [Anne]_171-anne could not help smiling . “_[0-i] [You]_3236-you can have both some tea and [my]_0-i best , [my]_0-i very best attention , ” [she]_0-i said . [Mr Chough]_248-chough sighed , and waited gloomily until tea had been brought , absolutely refusing to open [his]_3236-you lips . “_[3236-you] Have [you]_3236-you brought something to read to [me]_0-i ? ” asked [Anne]_171-anne , thinking it might be some new bit of the ‘ Triumph of Womanhood , ’ which [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough most innocently read to [all the ladies of [his]_3236-you acquaintance]_{6485-all the ladies of his acquaintance} , only [Anne]_171-anne having the courage to say every now and then , “_[3236-you] [I]_0-i think that had better be omitted , [Mr Chough]_248-chough . [I]_0-i think [people]_577-people will give it a bad meaning which perhaps [you]_3236-you do n’t intend . ” “_[577-people] [I]_0-i have nothing to read , ” answered [Chough]_248-chough , solemnly . “_[577-people] [I]_0-i have come to ask [your]_3236-you advice about a matter more important than any literary one . ” “_[0-i] [You]_3236-you shall have it if [I]_0-i can give any . Go on , [Mr Chough]_248-chough . ” “_[248-chough] Well , then , ” began [Cosmo]_248-chough , stooping forward on [his]_6486-his chair and frowning , “_[0-i] let [me]_0-i premise that [I]_0-i have [two friends whom [I]_0-i greatly value]_{3238-two friends whom i greatly value} . [I]_0-i am not at liberty to mention [their]_{3238-two friends whom i greatly value} names ; but [I]_0-i will call [one the Duke]_{3239-one the duke} , and [the other la Marquise]_{3240-the other la marquise} . ” “_[0-i] Oh ! ” cried [Anne]_171-anne , laughing , “_[0-i] [I]_0-i fear [I]_0-i ca n’t give [you]_3236-you any advice about [such exalted people as that]_{3241-such exalted people as that} . [I]_0-i am [a woman of the people]_{3242-a woman of the people} , and have never known [a duke]_{1651-a duke} in [my]_0-i life . ” “_{[1651-a duke]} One moment ’s patience , [dear Miss Brown]_171-anne . [This Duke]_{3244-this duke} — who lives — well , let [us]_3245-us say [he]_{3244-this duke} has a magnificent hôtel entre cour et jardin in [Paris]_42-paris , has been affianced ever since [his]_{3244-this duke} childhood to [the Marquise]_{3246-the marquise} , who is the most beautiful and divine woman in [the world]_{496-the world} , as [he]_{3244-this duke} , indeed , is [the most accomplished gentleman]_{3248-the most accomplished gentleman} , besides being [[my]_0-i dearest friend]_{3249-my dearest friend} ; and [they]_3250-their have been looking forward to a union which will make [their]_3250-their happiness , and that of [[their]_3250-their friends]_{3251-their friends} , perfect . Do [you]_3252-you follow that ? But now — ” and [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , stretching out one long thin leg , so as to display [his]_{3244-this duke} small foot and the martial wrinkles of [his]_{3244-this duke} boot , and propping [his]_{3244-this duke} elbow on [his]_{3244-this duke} other knee—“now_[3253-mark] , [mark]_3253-mark . There comes into [our]_3254-our perfect duet a discordant voice . [A certain lady , whom [I]_0-i will designate as the Queen of Night”—and]_{6487-a certain lady , whom i will designate as the queen of night”—and} [he]_{3244-this duke} made [his]_{3244-this duke} cat ’s grimace , and pausing , looked mournfully at [Miss Brown]_171-anne , who sat quietly by , bending over a piece of embroidery which [she]_171-anne was doing from a design by [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “_{[6487-a certain lady , whom i will designate as the queen of night”—and]} Well ! ” “_{[6487-a certain lady , whom i will designate as the queen of night”—and]} Well , [this lady]_{3255-this lady} , by some occult power of which [I]_0-i can not judge , gains possession of the fancy of [the Duke]_{3256-the duke} — not of [his]_{3256-the duke} heart,—he still continuing to love [the Marquise coralment]_{3257-the marquise coralment} , as [the trouvères say,—and]_{3258-the trouvères say,—and} in short leads [him]_{3256-the duke} , without however , as [I]_0-i said , in the least diminishing [his]_{3256-the duke} passionate love for [the Marquise]_{3246-the marquise} , into acts , or at least appearances , which , to the mind of [the vulgar]_{3260-the vulgar} are incompatible with such love . What do [you]_3261-his say to that ? ” Little by [little Miss Brown]_171-anne had guessed what [Chough]_248-chough was hiding beneath this grotesque piece of romancing . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i say that [the vulgar]_{3260-the vulgar} are probably right ; and that [the Marquise]_{3246-the marquise} , for all the coral love of [the Duke]_{3256-the duke} , had better throw [him]_{3256-the duke} over , if [she]_{3246-the marquise} has a grain of self‐respect . Will [you]_3261-his have another cup , [Mr Chough]_248-chough ? ” [Anne]_171-anne spoke coldly and indifferently ; and [Chough]_248-chough , who , despite [his]_3261-his vaunted knowledge of the human heart , was [the most obtuse of [good‐hearted little people]_{6489-good‐hearted little people}]_{6488-the most obtuse of good‐hearted little people} , actually prided [himself]_3261-his upon having put [his]_3261-his case so delicately , that [Miss Brown]_171-anne could not even guess as yet that [she]_{3246-the marquise} was alluded to . “_[3261-his] But [the Duke]_{3256-the duke} would die were [he]_{3256-the duke} to lose [her]_{3246-the marquise} ! [The Queen of Night]_{4214-the queen of night} , who is [a wicked fairy]_{3267-a wicked fairy} — une méchante fée — une fernme serpent — une mélusine , enfin tout ce qu’il vous plaira ” ( [Chough]_248-chough always liked to show off [his]_3261-his French)—“has_{[4214-the queen of night]} fascinated only [his]_3261-his fancy , not [his]_3261-his heart . It would be most unfair if [he]_3261-his were to lose [the Marquise]_{453-the marquise} . Well , to proceed ; the remedy would easily be found . [La Marquise]_{453-the marquise} , like [all passionately loving women]_{3268-all passionately loving women} , is a little cold and proud — tant soit peu hautaine et glaciale — need only thaw towards [the Duke]_{3256-the duke} . [She]_{3246-the marquise} need only say or make [a friend]_{4706-a friend} tell [him]_3261-his , that [she]_{3246-the marquise} adores [him]_3261-his and that [he]_3261-his is [her]_{3246-the marquise} sole happiness — and see ! [the Queen of Night]_{4214-the queen of night} ’s spells are forthwith broken by the power of true love — the Eternal Womanhood reasserts its right , and all is happy again . But the mischief is , that there is no means of bringing this home to [the lady]_{3881-the lady} . Lately , indeed , [a trusty and respectful friend]_{3273-a trusty and respectful friend} , [an Italian]_{3901-an italian} — [a poet of some small distinction]_{3275-a poet of some small distinction} , [I]_0-i may add — ventured so far as to acquaint [her]_{3881-the lady} of the public rumour concerning — [I]_0-i mean concerning [the Duke]_{3256-the duke} and [the Queen of Night]_{4214-the queen of night} — in an anonymous letter . . . ” [Miss Brown]_171-anne suddenly sat bolt‐upright , and fixing [her]_171-anne eyes on [Chough]_248-chough , said — “_[0-i] [You]_0-i do n’t mean to say that [you]_0-i — [you]_0-i actually concocted that ridiculous missive ? ” “_[0-i] Ridiculous missive ! What ridiculous missive ? ” asked [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , striking an attitude . “_[0-i] Well , [I]_0-i ought rather to say that most ungentlemanly anonymous letter , written in Italian which would make a cat laugh . ” “_[0-i] Ungentlemanly ! ungentlemanly ! ” howled [Chough]_248-chough ; but in reality what [he]_{3278-the friend who respects you most in the whole world} was thinking of was [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s stricture upon [the Italian]_441-italian . “_[0-i] Oh , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ! ” [he]_{3278-the friend who respects you most in the whole world} cried , after a minute , “_[171-anne] and it is possible that [you]_171-anne should so far have misunderstood [the friend who respects [you]_171-anne most in [the whole world]_{4244-the whole world}]_{3278-the friend who respects you most in the whole world} , as to have supposed that that letter had any evil intention ? Is it possible that [you]_171-anne , who have of all people in [the world]_{496-the world} been kindest to [me]_0-i , who have been as [a mother to [[my]_0-i children]_{3970-my children}]_{3281-a mother to my children} — that [you]_171-anne should have such an opinion of [me]_0-i ? ” [Poor Cosmo]_{454-poor cosmo} had let go all [his]_{454-poor cosmo} affectation ; [he]_{454-poor cosmo} wrung [his]_{454-poor cosmo} hands in real distress , and [he]_{454-poor cosmo} actually seemed to be crying . “_{[3283-oh fool]} [Oh fool]_{3283-oh fool} , [fool]_3284-fool that [I]_0-i was , trying to do good , and merely making [myself]_0-i seem [an odious ungrateful wretch]_{3285-an odious ungrateful wretch} ! ” [His]_{454-poor cosmo} sorrow was so genuine that [Miss Brown]_171-anne felt quite sorry for [him]_{454-poor cosmo} . “_[3284-fool] Come , come , [dear Mr Chough]_248-chough , ” [she]_171-anne said , “_[248-chough] do n’t distress [yourself]_248-chough . [I]_0-i think [you]_248-chough did a rather improper thing , but [I]_0-i am quite persuaded that [you]_248-chough merely wished to do good . ” And [she]_171-anne stretched out [her]_171-anne hand . [Chough]_248-chough struck [his]_{454-poor cosmo} head with [his]_{454-poor cosmo} fist . “_[0-i] Ah , [you]_248-chough are good — [you]_248-chough are too good — dear , dear [Miss Brown]_171-anne ! but [I]_0-i shall never recover from it — never . To think [I]_0-i only wished to do good — and [you]_248-chough think [me]_0-i [a slanderer]_{3286-a slanderer} ! ” “_[248-chough] Oh no , ” said [Anne]_171-anne , quietly , “_[248-chough] [I]_0-i do n’t think it for a moment . [I]_0-i know that all that letter contained was true , except that [you]_248-chough were unjust to one of [the parties]_{3287-the parties} ; for [I]_0-i am sure [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is not at all base , and has no conception of what [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is drifting into . ” [Chough]_248-chough gaped in astonishment . “_[248-chough] [You]_248-chough believe it to be true , and yet . . . ” “_[248-chough] How can [I]_0-i help believing by this time what [every creature]_{3288-every creature} can see , and what every creature , except [themselves]_{3288-every creature} perhaps , must and does see as clear as the sun at noon ? ” [Anne]_171-anne spoke very composedly . “_[248-chough] But if that is the case — if [you]_248-chough know — why then , how is it that [you]_248-chough don’t — well , that [you]_248-chough do n’t put a stop to it ? ” “_[248-chough] One ca n’t put a stop to what has already taken place . ” “_[248-chough] Oh , but [you]_248-chough can — [you]_248-chough can — and it was in hopes of [your]_248-chough doing it that [I]_0-i wrote that letter . It is to entreat [you]_248-chough to do it that [I]_0-i have come now , [dear]_4117-dear , [dear [Miss Brown]_171-anne]_{3290-dear miss brown} , to supplicate , to implore [you]_248-chough . . . ” “_[0-i] To do what ? ” There was a freezing indifference in [her]_0-i voice . “_[0-i] To do what ? Why , to do everything and anything ! [Dearest Miss Brown]_{455-dearest miss brown} , [I]_0-i know , [I]_0-i understand fully , that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin has acted unworthily towards [you]_248-chough . [I]_0-i know , [I]_0-i admit , that to [a woman like [you]_248-chough]_{2693-a woman like you} — all passion , all nobility — [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s behaviour must be odious . But would it not be worthy of [you]_248-chough to reflect that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin is [a poet]_{498-a poet} , and acting merely as [a poet]_{498-a poet} must act ? [A poet]_{498-a poet} is [a double‐natured creature]_{3295-a double‐natured creature} , [a baser and a nobler nature]_{3296-a baser and a nobler nature} , and [his]_{498-a poet} whole life consists merely in receiving as many and various impressions as both [his]_{498-a poet} natures can receive . [A poet]_{498-a poet} must know the stars , and know the mud beneath [his]_{498-a poet} feet ; [he]_{498-a poet} must drink the milk and the absinthe of life,—he must love purely and impurely , with [his]_{498-a poet} heart , with [his]_{498-a poet} fancy , and with [his]_{498-a poet} senses — ah , [you]_248-chough frown!—well , but such [the poet]_{5371-the poet} is , such is [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [His]_145-hamlin soul loves and adores [you]_248-chough ; what if , at the same time , [his]_145-hamlin baser nature , [the satyr in the god]_{3299-the satyr in the god} , be caught elsewhere ? [He]_145-hamlin loves [you]_248-chough none the less ; yes , [he]_145-hamlin loves [you]_248-chough even at the moment . . . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i think this all rather disgusting , do n’t [you]_0-i , [Mr Chough]_248-chough ? ” said [Anne]_171-anne , sternly . “_[248-chough] Nay , have patience — for the sake of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , for the sake of [your]_248-chough own noble goodness ! [He]_145-hamlin loves [you]_248-chough : and it requires but a look , a word , a message , to make [him]_145-hamlin forget that other love , to make it evaporate like opium‐fumes . Oh say this word — say it — and blow that ugly cloud of impure love from off the fair resplendent face of [his]_145-hamlin devotion to [you]_248-chough ! Write to [him]_145-hamlin — speak to [him]_145-hamlin . Empower [me]_0-i , [oh dearest lady]_{3300-oh dearest lady} , to tell [him]_145-hamlin that [you]_248-chough love [him]_145-hamlin , and that this wretched fancy of [his]_145-hamlin is making [you]_248-chough miserable ! ” “_[145-hamlin] It is not , ” answered [Anne]_171-anne , harshly ; “_[145-hamlin] it is not doing anything of the sort , and it is no more a fancy than [his]_145-hamlin love for [me]_0-i . As to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is in every way fit to be [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} . ” “_{[360-madame elaguine]} [[His]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} ! ” screamed [Chough]_248-chough , and looked as if [he]_145-hamlin would faint ; “_{[700-his wife]} and [you]_248-chough would let [your]_248-chough resentment go thus far — [you]_248-chough would let the nettles choke the roses , the impure passion choke the pure one , [you]_248-chough would sacrifice [him]_145-hamlin and [yourself]_248-chough — [you]_248-chough would let [him]_145-hamlin . . . ” “_[248-chough] [I]_0-i would let [him]_145-hamlin marry [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} . There is no impurity about it , so please do n’t revert to that , [Mr Chough]_248-chough . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} is just [the woman who might make [him]_145-hamlin happy]_{3304-the woman who might make him happy} ; the inclination is perfectly natural and proper . ” [Chough]_248-chough started up . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} Oh , [[you]_248-chough saint]_{3305-you saint} ! [[you]_248-chough noble heroic woman]_{3306-you noble heroic woman} ! ” [he]_145-hamlin cried , kissing [Anne]_171-anne ’s dress enthusiastically . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} What are [you]_248-chough doing , [Mr Chough]_248-chough ? ” [she]_171-anne asked angrily . “_[248-chough] [I]_0-i am kissing the holiest thing [I]_0-i shall ever touch , ” answered [the little man]_{4944-the little man} solemnly . “_[0-i] Yes ! [you]_248-chough are [a saint]_{924-a saint} , [an Alkertis]_{3308-an alkertis} , an Iphigenia ! But [we]_3309-we will not let the monstrous self‐sacrifice take place ! No , by heaven ! never , never ! [You]_248-chough shall not give up [your]_248-chough happiness ; [I]_0-i will speak to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [I]_0-i will tell [him]_145-hamlin all , all — that [you]_248-chough love [him]_145-hamlin . . . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do not love [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ” said [Anne]_171-anne sternly , pronouncing every word clearly and slowly . “_[0-i] [You]_248-chough do not love [Hamlin!—you]_{456-hamlin!—you} do not want — ” [Poor little Chough]_248-chough was so utterly dumfounded that [he]_145-hamlin had not the breath to finish [his]_145-hamlin sentence . “_[248-chough] [You]_248-chough have obliged [me]_0-i to say what [I]_0-i never intended to say to [any one]_{4101-any one} , ” said [Anne]_171-anne . “_[0-i] No ; [I]_0-i do not love [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; and if [he]_145-hamlin marry [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , [I]_0-i shall be happier than [I]_0-i thought [I]_0-i ever could be . ” “_[248-chough] [You]_248-chough love [another]_5884-another ! ” whispered [Chough]_248-chough , [his]_145-hamlin eyebrows and whiskers standing on end . “_{[5884-another]} Neither [him]_145-hamlin nor [any one else]_{1701-any one else} . ” “_{[5884-another]} Then why — why have [you]_248-chough not told [him]_145-hamlin so ? Why make the sacrifice of [your]_248-chough inclinations — because , marrying [him]_145-hamlin , [you]_248-chough would be — why ? ” “_[145-hamlin] [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has done everything for [me]_0-i . [I]_0-i was [a penniless , ignorant servant]_{3314-a penniless , ignorant servant} . [He]_145-hamlin had [me]_0-i taught , [he]_145-hamlin gave [me]_0-i [his]_145-hamlin money , [he]_145-hamlin gave [me]_0-i more kindness and trustfulness and generosity than [any man]_{1338-any man} ever gave [any woman]_{1339-any woman} [I]_0-i think , and [I]_0-i must pay [my]_0-i debt . If [he]_145-hamlin wants [me]_0-i , [he]_145-hamlin shall have [me]_0-i . If not , so much the better for [me]_0-i . ” There was a silence . [Anne]_171-anne took up [her]_171-anne piece of work ; [Chough]_248-chough sat rapping gently on the table with [his]_3317-you finger‐tips , looking wonderingly at [her]_171-anne . At last [Miss Brown]_171-anne spoke . “_[3317-you] [You]_3317-you have got [my]_0-i secret out of [me]_0-i , [Mr Chough]_248-chough . [I]_0-i do n’t believe much in [you]_3317-you poets ; and [I]_0-i think [you]_3317-you are [a giddy]_{3318-a giddy} , often [a foolish man]_{3319-a foolish man} . But [I]_0-i think [you]_3317-you are [a gentleman at heart]_{3320-a gentleman at heart} , and [a good man]_{3321-a good man} ; and as such , [I]_0-i trust [you]_3317-you never to let out , either by speech or hint or look , positively or negatively , a word of what [I]_0-i have told [you]_3317-you . If [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin marry [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , so much the better ; if [he]_145-hamlin marry [me]_0-i , so much the worse . But what must be , must be . And come what may , [I]_0-i depend upon [you]_3317-you , as [the only friend upon whom [I]_0-i can rely]_{3323-the only friend upon whom i can rely} , to forget all that [I]_0-i have told [you]_3317-you to‐day . Will [you]_3317-you promise ? ” [Miss Brown]_171-anne looked very solemn ; and [Chough]_248-chough was overcome by an almost religious awe . “_[3317-you] [I]_0-i promise never to reveal , ” [he]_145-hamlin said quietly , “_[0-i] but [you]_3317-you must not ask [me]_0-i to forget ; [I]_0-i have neither the power nor the right to forget the best thing [I]_0-i have known in [my]_0-i life . Goodbye , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , and [God]_195-god bless [you]_3317-you ! ” And [Anne]_171-anne , who believed only in right and wrong , felt really the better and stronger for the blessing of [the preposterous little poet of [Messalina]_{365-messalina}]_{6491-the preposterous little poet of messalina} [and [Lucrezia Borgia]_{457-and lucrezia borgia , who declared himself to be an atheist when he did not declare himself to be a catholic mystic} , who declared [himself]_{457-and lucrezia borgia , who declared himself to be an atheist when he did not declare himself to be a catholic mystic} to be an atheist when [he]_{457-and lucrezia borgia , who declared himself to be an atheist when he did not declare himself to be a catholic mystic} did not declare [himself]_{457-and lucrezia borgia , who declared himself to be an atheist when he did not declare himself to be a catholic mystic} to be [a Catholic mystic]_{6492-a catholic mystic}]_{457-and lucrezia borgia , who declared himself to be an atheist when he did not declare himself to be a catholic mystic} . SOME time after this conversation with [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , a circumstance took place which caused great momentary excitement , and considerably unsettled [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s mind . The summer had come with a sudden rush ; and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had had the notion of taking [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} and [Miss Brown]_171-anne , and [two or three friends]_{6494-two or three friends} , to spend a week at [Wotton]_94-wotton . Among [these friends]_{6495-these friends} was [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . That [Hamlin]_145-hamlin should care to take [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} to [the house where [she]_{1267-his cousin} had played so lamentable a part in [her]_{1267-his cousin} childhood]_{6497-the house where she had played so lamentable a part in her childhood} ; that [Sacha]_447-hamlin should endure to confront [those invisible ghosts of [[her]_{1267-his cousin} uncle]_{6499-her uncle} , [[her]_{1267-his cousin} cousins]_{6500-her cousins} , [[her]_{1267-his cousin} own former self]_{6501-her own former self} , of all the shameful past , which haunted [that house]_{6502-that house}]_{6498-those invisible ghosts of her uncle , her cousins , her own former self , of all the shameful past , which haunted that house} , was quite incomprehensible to [Anne]_171-anne . But day by day [she]_{1267-his cousin} was forced to recognise that [she]_{1267-his cousin} was surrounded by incomprehensible ways of feeling and thinking , that [she]_{1267-his cousin} was , in a way , like [a person solitary among mankind from deafness or blindness]_{6503-a person solitary among mankind from deafness or blindness} , from incapacity to put [herself]_{1267-his cousin} in [their]_{6498-those invisible ghosts of her uncle , her cousins , her own former self , of all the shameful past , which haunted that house} place ; and recognising this , [she]_{1267-his cousin} recognised also , with [her]_{1267-his cousin} unflinching justice , that [she]_{1267-his cousin} had no right to hastily condemn the things which [she]_{1267-his cousin} could not understand . So when [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , on the evening of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} arrival at [Wotton]_94-wotton , insisted on wandering all over [the once familiar house]_{6504-the once familiar house} , and openly said that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} felt a pleasure , the bitter pleasure of self‐inflicted penance , in confronting the past , in humiliating [her]_{360-madame elaguine} present self by the company of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} former self , [Anne]_171-anne merely said to [herself]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne could not conceive [a woman]_{3960-a woman} feeling like that — but that , nevertheless , this theatrical and hysterical excitement might , after all , lead to as good a result as [her]_{360-madame elaguine} own silent and painful solitary self‐absorption . “_[195-god] [She]_3324-she is [a brazen creature]_{3325-a brazen creature} ! ” [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} had cried , when [she]_{247-aunt claudia} heard that [Sacha]_447-hamlin was going to [Wotton]_94-wotton ; “_{[3325-a brazen creature]} corrupt like [[her]_3324-she father]_{4143-her father} , and fantastic like [[her]_3324-she mother]_{1278-her mother} . [She]_3324-she must get [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} or [some one else]_{1193-some one else} to chaperon [her]_3324-she in [that house]_{6502-that house} , if indeed [she]_3324-she wants any one . [I]_0-i shall stay behind . As to [you]_3330-you , [Annie]_171-anne , [you]_3330-you are at liberty to go or not go , of course . ” “_[0-i] [I]_0-i shall go , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ” [Anne]_171-anne had answered resolutely , “_{[247-aunt claudia]} because [I]_0-i do n’t see that [I]_0-i have a right to imply by [my]_0-i absence that [I]_0-i disapprove of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s going to [Wotton]_94-wotton . [I]_0-i neither approve nor disapprove ; and [I]_0-i think that , however little [we]_3331-we may sympathise with [her]_{360-madame elaguine} notions of self‐humiliation , [we]_3331-we must give [her]_{360-madame elaguine} the benefit of supposing that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is honest in them . ” So [Anne]_171-anne had gone . The self‐humiliation of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , and the hours [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had spent in [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} room]_{1374-her room} — [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had asked for [the room which had been [hers]_{360-madame elaguine} as [a child]_{623-a child}]_{6507-the room which had been hers as a child} — crying over the past , did not prevent [her]_{360-madame elaguine} being in excessively high spirits the evening following [their]_6509-their arrival and the successive one . It would seem as if the painful associations in which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had steeped [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} had produced a reaction in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} whole nature . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} was childishly , almost uproariously gay , played with [little Helen]_415-helen the greater part of the afternoon , and after dinner treated [the company]_{1514-the company} — that is to say , [Anne]_171-anne , [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , [Lewis]_353-lewis , and [Hamlin]_447-hamlin — to a perfect concert of all manner of wild gipsy songs , Spanish and Russian , sung with a fury which amounted almost to genius ; and followed these up with little French songs , old and new , picked up heaven knows where — from operettes , from [peasants]_826-peasants , from books — the words of which and the astonishing gaminerie with which they were delivered , amused [Lewis]_353-lewis to fits of laughing , threw Chough into enthusiasm , annoyed [Hamlin]_447-hamlin a little , puzzled poor [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , and made [Anne]_171-anne reflect , as charitably as [she]_171-anne could , upon the different standards of propriety which seemed to exist for [Englishwomen]_{6512-englishwomen} and for [Russians]_{402-most russians} . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s songs made [Anne]_171-anne feel quite uncomfortable and angry ; but [she]_171-anne said nothing , seeing [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , who could tolerate any amount of impropriety as long as it was medieval and poetic , was evidently putting down this French levity as a mark of [the Russian woman]_{6513-the russian woman} ’s depravity ; and [she]_171-anne felt somehow , that though [she]_171-anne was annoyed [herself]_171-anne , and annoyed with good cause , [she]_171-anne must not back up [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} ’s prejudiced indignation . [Cousin Sacha]_359-sacha seemed to take a pleasure in vexing [Hamlin]_447-hamlin , in shocking [Anne]_171-anne , in making [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} think [her]_171-anne [a wicked creature]_{6514-a wicked creature} ; [she]_171-anne sang on , in [her]_171-anne devil‐may‐care , street‐boy way , with a malicious , childish impudence in [her]_171-anne face ; then suddenly , when [she]_171-anne saw [Hamlin]_447-hamlin get positively black at what [he]_447-hamlin considered [her]_171-anne bad taste — suddenly dropped from [her]_171-anne leste French couplets into a strange , wild , Spanish gipsy song , sad and despairing beyond saying . [She]_171-anne looked very fascinating , as [she]_171-anne sat near the window , resting [her]_171-anne guitar on [her]_171-anne knee , [her]_171-anne tiny feet and embroidered stockings very visible beneath the lace flounces and frills of [her]_171-anne thistle‐down dress ; [her]_171-anne deep , Russian blue eyes looking , as it seemed , rather into the past than the present , [her]_171-anne whole slight , even emaciated , body and face tense with a sort of hysterical emotion . Suddenly [she]_171-anne threw the guitar on the sofa . “_{[360-madame elaguine]} Bah ! ” [she]_171-anne cried , “_{[360-madame elaguine]} what is the use of singing sad things when one is sad ? and what is the use of pretending to be merry , and shocking [people]_577-people with polissoneries when one feels as old and dismal as at ninety ? [I]_0-i hate music . ” And [she]_171-anne walked through the French window on to [the wide terrace which surrounded one side of [the house]_{509-the house}]_{6515-the wide terrace which surrounded one side of the house} and overlooked [the lawn]_{6517-the lawn} . “_[0-i] The only good thing , ” [she]_171-anne said , “_[0-i] in [this world]_{5351-this world} is tobacco‐smoke . If , ” turning with affected deference and timidity to [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , who considered [a woman who smoked as little short of an adventuress]_{6518-a woman who smoked as little short of an adventuress} , “_[3334-you] [you]_3334-you have no objection , [these gentlemen]_{5073-these gentlemen} and [I]_0-i will have a smoke . ” “_[0-i] Oh , pray do n’t mind [me]_0-i , ” snorted [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , stalking back into [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} , and sitting down near the window . [The three men]_{6520-the three men} immediately produced cigars and cigarettes and matches . “_[0-i] No , thank [you]_3336-you , [Walter]_145-hamlin , ” said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; “_[145-hamlin] [your]_3336-you cigarettes are too weak for [me]_0-i — too ladylike , like [[their]_3337-their owner]_{3338-their owner} , for [a badly brought up woman]_{3339-a badly brought up woman} . [I]_0-i must make mine [myself]_0-i . ” And [she]_0-i went into [[her]_0-i bedroom]_{4654-her bedroom} , [the last room opening out to [the terrace]_{5100-the terrace}]_{6522-the last room opening out to the terrace} , to fetch [her]_0-i box of tobacco and [her]_0-i cigarette‐papers . In a minute [she]_0-i returned , whistling , in a curious bird‐like whistle , below [her]_0-i breath , and rolling a cigarette in [her]_0-i fingers . [Some of [the party]_{1060-the party}]_{6524-some of the party} were seated , some standing . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} came to where [Miss Brown]_171-anne was seated , looking into [the twilight park]_{6526-the twilight park} . “_[0-i] [Dear Annie]_418-anne , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} murmured , putting [her]_{360-madame elaguine} arm round [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s neck , in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} childish way , and which yet always affected [Anne]_171-anne as might the caress of a lamia ’s clammy scales . “_[418-anne] [I]_0-i fear , ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said , putting [her]_{360-madame elaguine} face close to [Anne]_171-anne , and lowering [her]_{360-madame elaguine} voice to a whisper , “_[418-anne] that [you]_418-anne must have thought [me]_0-i horribly vulgar and undignified and indecent just now . [I]_0-i do n’t know why [I]_0-i sang all those nasty songs ; [I]_0-i suppose it was to vex [Walter]_145-hamlin . [I]_0-i do n’t like them [myself]_0-i . But sometimes a sort of horrible desire , a kind of demon inside [me]_0-i , makes [me]_0-i wish to do something which [I]_0-i know is disgusting ; [I]_0-i feel as if [I]_0-i could be the lowest of [women]_3959-women , just from perversity . Ah , it is sickening . ” [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . “_[447-hamlin] Where did [you]_3341-you learn those wonderful little Burgundian couplets , [Sacha]_447-hamlin ? ” asked [Lewis]_353-lewis , in [his]_353-lewis sultan‐like familiar way . [He]_353-lewis had a trick of calling [her]_3341-you [Sacha]_447-hamlin every now and then , as [he]_353-lewis had tried , but failed , to call [Miss Brown Annie]_458-anne . “_[0-i] [I]_0-i do n’t know . [I]_0-i ought not to have learned them at all ; and [I]_0-i ought not to have sung them before [a man like [you]_3341-you]_{3342-a man like you} , who notices all [the nastiness there is in anything , and a great deal more besides]_{3343-the nastiness there is in anything , and a great deal more besides} , ” answered [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , coldly . “_[3341-you] What a Southern evening ! ” exclaimed [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , looking up at the blue evening sky , singularly pure and blue and high , twinkling with stars , and against which the distant trees stood out clear like the sidescenes of [a theatre]_{976-a theatre} . “_[3341-you] It is sad that [our]_3344-our cigars should have to do for fireflies,—to be the only thing imitating that , ” and [he]_353-lewis pointed at the sky . “_[3341-you] A lit cigar is the only imitation of the stars which [[people]_577-people like [ourselves]_3344-our]_{3346-people like ourselves} can attempt , ” said [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} . “_[3341-you] It ’s so in everything — [our]_3344-our poetry , [our]_3344-our passions — nothing but cigar‐lights for stars ; do n’t [you]_3341-you think so , [Annie]_458-anne ? ” “_[458-anne] What ’s that ? ” asked [Chough]_248-chough , suddenly . [They]_3344-our looked up at [his]_353-lewis startled voice . “_[458-anne] What ’s what ? ” asked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , quietly . “_[458-anne] Have [you]_3341-you seen the ghost of Imperia of [Rome]_28-rome , [Mr Chough]_248-chough ? ” “_[248-chough] What the deuce is that ? ” exclaimed [Lewis]_353-lewis . In the midst of the general blue dusk , one of the cedars on [the lawn]_{6517-the lawn} , and a screen of trees beyond , had suddenly burst into sight , enveloped in a bright light , which made the grass all round burn out a vivid yellowish‐green against the darkness . [Anne]_458-anne turned round quickly and looked behind [her]_458-anne . “_[248-chough] [The house]_{509-the house} is on fire ! ” [she]_458-anne cried . “_[248-chough] [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s room]_{3348-madame elaguine ’s room} ! ” And before [the others]_{881-the others} could understand , [she]_0-i had rushed towards the other end of [the terrace]_{5100-the terrace} . The light , which had suddenly illumined [the piece of lawn]_{6532-the piece of lawn} , the trees opposite , did issue , a brilliant broad sheet like that of large chandelier , from out of the open window of [[Sacha]_447-hamlin ’s room]_{6533-sacha ’s room} . “_[248-chough] Good heavens ! ” cried [Hamlin]_447-hamlin , “_[3341-you] [you]_3341-you must have set the curtains on fire with the match of [your]_3341-you cigarette ! ” “_[3341-you] No , no , ” cried [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , “_[3341-you] [I]_0-i lit [my]_0-i cigarette [here outside]_{3349-here outside} ; it must be . . . ” and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} rushed wildly after [Anne]_458-anne into [[her]_458-anne bedroom]_{4654-her bedroom} . An extraordinary spectacle met [Miss Brown]_458-anne first , and [the rest of [the party]_{1060-the party}]_{1059-the rest of the party} an instant or two later . [The large old‐fashioned bed of [Cousin Sacha]_359-sacha , which stood in the centre of [the room]_{574-the room}]_{6537-the large old‐fashioned bed of cousin sacha , which stood in the centre of the room} , was burning , blazing like a Christmas pudding , [its]_{6537-the large old‐fashioned bed of cousin sacha , which stood in the centre of the room} whole top , coverlet and pillows , turned into a roaring mass of bluish flame , whence arose an acrid stifling smell . “_[3350-they] [They]_3350-they have done it ! [they]_3350-they have done it ! ” shrieked [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , throwing [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} into [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s arms . “_[3350-they] [They]_3350-they want to kill [me]_0-i ! [they]_3350-they have always said so ! ” But before [he]_447-hamlin had had time to answer , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had rushed off into [a neighbouring room]_{6539-a neighbouring room} , and , with a presence of mind most unexpected in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , returned with a heap of woollen blankets which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had dragged off a bed . “_[3350-they] Pour the water on this ! ” [she]_{360-madame elaguine} cried to [Anne]_458-anne , who , with [her]_458-anne strong arms , had immediately dashed the contents of a bath on to the flames . “_[3350-they] Soak this ! it is useless throwing water on the flames ; ” and taking the soaking blankets , [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} threw them dexterously on to the blazing bed , among the hissing of the smoke and fire . In a minute [every one]_{4712-every one} had brought blankets , cushions , water ; [the servants]_{5568-the servants} had run up ; and in about five minutes the flames were extinguished . The damages were very trifling compared with the appearance of danger . The fire had not spread beyond the surface of the bed , and consumed only the upper layer of bedding . But the sight of that expanse of waving blue flame had been frightful , and it seemed impossible to realise that no harm had been done . “_[353-lewis] How has it happened?”—“How have [they]_3350-they done it?”—“Send_[353-lewis] to [the police station]_{3351-the police station} . ”—“Scour [the park!”—every_[353-lewis] one]_{6543-the park!”—every one} was talking at the same time . “ [I]_447-hamlin ’ll go down into [the park]_{6544-the park} and have a good hunt , ”_[447-hamlin] said [Hamlin]_447-hamlin , taking down one of the guns which hung in [the hall]_{550-the hall} ; “ [they]_3350-they ca n’t have got far yet . ”_[447-hamlin] “ [I]_353-lewis do n’t think [you]_{288-mrs spencer} ’ll catch [them]_3350-they , ”_[353-lewis] answered [Lewis]_353-lewis , in [his]_353-lewis drawling ironical way . “ [We]_3353-they ’re not in [Russia]_115-russia , [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} , ”_{[288-mrs spencer]} rejoined [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , bridling up ; “ here [any one]_{4101-any one} can be caught ; it ’s not [an incompetent police]_{6546-an incompetent police} as abroad . ”_{[288-mrs spencer]} “ Some things ca n’t be caught , ”_[353-lewis] said [Lewis]_353-lewis , with an odd wise smile . While [they]_3353-they were standing discussing in [the hall]_{550-the hall} , [they]_3353-they were startled by a sudden thump on the floor . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} [, who had hitherto been singularly calm and energetic]_{3355-, who had hitherto been singularly calm and energetic} , had fallen in a half‐fainting condition , like a column on to the ground . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} was carried in to a couch in [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} , and [Anne]_458-anne called [the Swiss maid]_{6006-the swiss maid} , who came , with that sort of insolent indifference to the condition of [[her]_458-anne mistress]_{6009-her mistress} , which had struck [Miss Brown]_458-anne on more than one similar occasion . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was in a state of hysterical panic — [she]_{360-madame elaguine} wept , and laughed , and talked , and moaned ; but [she]_{360-madame elaguine} absolutely refused to be put to bed , and insisted with great violence that some of [the company]_{1514-the company} should remain about [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . [She]_458-anne kept [Hamlin]_447-hamlin seated by the side of the sofa , [his]_447-hamlin hand in [hers]_458-anne , until the arrival of [the police]_{3360-the police} , and of [neighbours who had heard of the burning bed]_{3361-neighbours who had heard of the burning bed} , obliged [him]_447-hamlin and [the men]_{4543-the men} to leave [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . As soon as only [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} and [Anne Brown]_171-anne remained , [she]_458-anne became more calm , and merely lamented over [her]_458-anne fate , and over the probability that some day [[her]_458-anne enemies]_{5992-her enemies} would really succeed in killing either [her]_458-anne or [[her]_458-anne child]_{5949-her child} . A curious coincidence occurred , which remained impressed in [Anne]_171-anne ’s mind . While [the rest of [the party]_{1060-the party}]_{1059-the rest of the party} , including [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , were examining [the house]_{509-the house} in company with [the policemen]_{5946-the policemen} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , who was seated near [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s sofa — a sense of unreality , as of being at the play , filling [her]_171-anne whole nature after that terrible sight of the blazing bed — mechanically opened a book which was lying on the table at [her]_171-anne elbow . It was [a child]_{623-a child} ’s story which [she]_171-anne had bought on a railway bookstall and given to [little Helen Elaguine]_415-helen to keep [her]_415-helen quiet during the journey to [Wotton]_94-wotton . Mechanically [her]_171-anne eye ran along the page ; but suddenly it stopped , as [she]_171-anne read the following sentence , printed in rather larger type than the rest — “ And [they]_{5946-the policemen} never forgot , as long as [they]_{5946-the policemen} lived , that terrible burning bed . ”_[171-anne] For a moment the words echoed through [Anne]_171-anne ’s mind as merely so much sound ; but , as is the case when [we]_3370-we hear a name which awakens associations which [we]_3370-we can not at first define to [ourselves]_3370-we , [she]_171-anne was conscious at the same time of an effort to adjust [her]_171-anne faculties , to seize a meaning which was there , but which [she]_171-anne could not at once grasp . “ And [they]_{5946-the policemen} never forgot , as long as [they]_{5946-the policemen} lived , that terrible burning bed . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne kept on repeating those words to [herself]_171-anne . They made [her]_171-anne restless . [She]_171-anne went to the window , and looked out into the night . The vision of that broad sheet of white light on [the terrace]_{5100-the terrace} and bushes , of that expanse of waving blue flamelets , rose up in [her]_171-anne mind . “ That terrible burning bed . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne saw the printed page again . Then , as to a central bubble , other ideas which bubbled up slowly began to gravitate . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s perfect , and , in [a woman so excitable , unaccountable presence of mind]_{3372-a woman so excitable , unaccountable presence of mind} until all chance of further mischief had been over ; the blankets which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had immediately dragged out of [the next room]_{3870-the next room} , as [a fireman]_{3374-a fireman} might have dragged [them]_3375-them ; the rapid instruction , as of [a person accustomed to such things]_{3376-a person accustomed to such things} , to wet the blankets instead of pouring water on the flames , as [all the others]_{880-all the others} had done ; the insolent , indifferent look of [the maid]_{4505-the maid} ; the going into [[her]_{4505-the maid} room]_{1374-her room} to fetch the cigarette‐papers only a minute or two before the conflagration , and when it would seem that whoever had set the bed aflame must have been making the necessary preparations . Then also , the fire had been so carefully limited to the bed , as if no real damage had been meant . No ; that was merely consistent with the usual policy of [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s mysterious enemies]_{6395-madame elaguine ’s mysterious enemies} , who wished to frighten , but not to kill [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . But another thought arose . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} possessed a good deal of valuable old lace , indeed more than [her]_{360-madame elaguine} fortune at all warranted . Old lace was [her]_{360-madame elaguine} hobby and [her]_{360-madame elaguine} pride ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had always a lot on [her]_{360-madame elaguine} dress , on [her]_{360-madame elaguine} night‐gown , on everything . Some of the very finest that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} possessed existed in large quantity as the trimming of a white satin dressing‐gown , which , towards the evening , was always put on [her]_{360-madame elaguine} bed . [Anne]_171-anne had noticed it this very evening , when [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had called [her]_171-anne into [[her]_{4505-the maid} bedroom]_{4654-her bedroom} to ask [her]_171-anne advice , as , with [a spoilt child]_{3382-a spoilt child} ’s coquetry , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} often did , about some flowers which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was putting in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} hair for dinner . For some reason [the maid]_{4505-the maid} had already arranged [the room]_{574-the room} for the night , and , as usual , the white satin dressing‐gown trimmed with lace had been lying on the bed . [Anne]_171-anne had made a note of the fact , because [she]_171-anne had thought at the moment how absurd it was of the Russian to put such valuable lace upon a garment which was perpetually knocking about , and in which , as it seemed to [Miss Brown]_171-anne , [she]_171-anne would scarcely be seen except by [[her]_171-anne own servant]_{3385-her own servant} . Now , while extinguishing the flames , one of [Anne]_171-anne ’s first thoughts had somehow been the white satin dressing‐gown . What a pity that all that lace should have been consumed ! What an annoyance to [Cousin Sacha]_359-sacha ! But , to [her]_171-anne surprise and relief , [she]_171-anne had seen the dressing‐gown , a mass of satin and lace , hanging in perfect safety on a peg at the furthest end of [the room]_{574-the room} — the dressing‐gown which , an hour before , had already lain in readiness on the bed . All these ideas moved confusedly through [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s brain . Was it a mere ordinary mental delusion , one of those impressions which [physiologists]_{3387-physiologists} explain by the imperfect momentary double action of the two brain‐lobes ; or was it a recollection of a suspicion which had long existed in [her]_171-anne mind , but unconsciously , not daring to come to the surface ? Anyhow , it seemed to [Anne]_171-anne , as [she]_171-anne stood by the open window looking into the night , and listening to [Sacha]_359-sacha ’s faint moanings , as if [she]_171-anne had gone through that or something similar before — as if it were not the first time that [she]_171-anne was invaded by the thought that all this persecution by [invisible and uncatchable enemies]_{3388-invisible and uncatchable enemies} was a deception practised by [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} , a kind of artificial excitement and interest got up for the benefit of [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} friends]_{1459-her friends} , for the benefit of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} own morbid and theatrical temper ? It was difficult for [a woman , simple , sincere , completely all of a piece]_{3390-a woman , simple , sincere , completely all of a piece} , like [Anne Brown]_171-anne , to conceive such a possibility , and still more difficult for [her]_171-anne not to revolt from its contemplation as from an act of disloyalty . But , on the other hand , [Anne]_171-anne , just in proportion to [her]_171-anne slowness of mental perception , had not the power , which so many of [us]_3391-us possess , of denying the evidence of [her]_171-anne reason for the sake of [her]_171-anne feelings . So the words in the book , which seemed as if they contained the suggestion of the whole performance ( if performance it was ) ; the fact of the dressing‐gown having been out of reach of all danger ; the manner of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} and of [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} maid]_{694-her maid} on this and previous occasions,—haunted [Anne]_171-anne , and united with the sudden recollection of what [she]_171-anne had read in one of [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory ’s scientific books about the connection between hysteria and monomania , about the strange passion for deceit , for hoax , for theatricality , sometimes observable in [hysterical women]_{3393-hysterical women} . And then [she]_171-anne remembered the face and voice of [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , [his]_353-lewis ironical remark about the impossibility of finding [the culprits]_{3394-the culprits} , [his]_353-lewis indifference and amused superiority . Could [he]_353-lewis too have guessed?—and , it suddenly struck [her]_171-anne , could [Hamlin]_447-hamlin have had the same thought ? No , [she]_171-anne felt sure [Hamlin]_447-hamlin had not . THE incident of the burning bed left [the inmates of [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall}]_{3395-the inmates of wotton hall} in a state of excitement which outlasted [their]_{3395-the inmates of wotton hall} stay in [the country]_{945-the country} . All attempts to find [the culprits]_{3394-the culprits} had been useless ; and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had begged [Hamlin]_447-hamlin not to permit any regular judicial inquiry , lest the story of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} persecution , about which [she]_{360-madame elaguine} affected to be excessively jealous , should become public property . [Hamlin]_447-hamlin , who hated vulgar publicity , easily consented . But the mysterious story was now known to [all [the guests]_{4917-the guests} at [Wotton]_94-wotton]_{3398-all the guests at wotton} , and soon became known to [the whole pre‐Raphaelite set which centred round [the house at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith}]_{4915-the house at hammersmith} , with the result of turning [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , in the eyes of [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} and [[her]_{288-mrs spencer} friends]_{1459-her friends}]_{3400-the whole pre‐raphaelite set which centred round the house at hammersmith , with the result of turning madame elaguine , in the eyes of mrs spencer and her friends} , from something not much better than an adventuress , into something uncommonly like [a heroine]_{3403-a heroine} and [a martyr]_{3404-a martyr} ; for it seemed as if [these good folk , whose life was the most humdrum prose and whose ideal was the most far‐fetched poetry]_{3405-these good folk , whose life was the most humdrum prose and whose ideal was the most far‐fetched poetry} , felt absolute gratitude towards [the remarkable individual who supplied [them]_{3405-these good folk , whose life was the most humdrum prose and whose ideal was the most far‐fetched poetry} with a real mystery , a real persecution by unknown enemies , a real romance]_{3406-the remarkable individual who supplied them with a real mystery , a real persecution by unknown enemies , a real romance} . So when [Sacha]_447-hamlin , on [her]_{360-madame elaguine} return to [town]_821-town , began to suffer or to think that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} suffered from nervous prostration due to this terrible shock , and to lie even more than usual on sofas in even more than usually picturesque dressing‐gowns , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} found [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} surrounded by [a crowd of sympathising and admiring artists]_{3408-a crowd of sympathising and admiring artists} , [writers]_3409-writers , and [critics]_4738-critics , to whom [she]_{360-madame elaguine} confided , one by one , and in slightly different versions , the details of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} strange history . [The only person who seemed displeased]_{3411-the only person who seemed displeased} was [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ; and [the only person who seemed cold]_{3412-the only person who seemed cold} was [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [Hamlin]_447-hamlin always required to absorb the whole attention of [any person to whom [he]_447-hamlin took a liking]_{3413-any person to whom he took a liking} ; to see [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} fenced round with [idiots]_3415-idiots , as [he]_447-hamlin described it , was almost a physical annoyance to [him]_447-hamlin ; [he]_447-hamlin was cross , captious , bitter , and gruff ; and the more [he]_447-hamlin showed [his]_447-hamlin temper the more pleasure [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} took in provoking [him]_447-hamlin . As usual , when out of sorts with [the world]_{496-the world} , and especially when [he]_447-hamlin felt [himself]_447-hamlin neglected , [Hamlin]_447-hamlin began once more to pay attentions to [Miss Brown]_171-anne , to bemoan [his]_447-hamlin own baseness and weakness , to throw [himself]_447-hamlin on [her]_171-anne compassion , to insinuate that in [her]_171-anne lay [his]_447-hamlin only hope . This sort of talk , with [his]_447-hamlin beautiful dreamy eyes fixed adoringly upon [her]_171-anne , [his]_447-hamlin slow quiet voice sounding like that of [a votary before an altar]_{3417-a votary before an altar} , had long become for [Anne]_171-anne a mere additional bitterness ; a bitterness of comprehension proportionate to the long delusion which had made [her]_171-anne see in this sort of behaviour the dissatisfaction of a noble nature , the yearnings of real love . [She]_171-anne was accustomed to it ; and would have merely smiled the bitter smile which had become part of [her]_171-anne nature . But now , every lover‐like look or word from [Hamlin]_447-hamlin inspired [Anne]_171-anne with positive terror ; it seemed as if [he]_447-hamlin had let [her]_171-anne fancy that [he]_447-hamlin loved [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} — that [he]_447-hamlin had let [her]_171-anne dream of release , of freedom from the life captivity which threatened [her]_171-anne soul , only to creep back , as a cat creeps back to the mouse with which it is playing , and slowly stretch forth [his]_447-hamlin hand to seize [her]_171-anne . This feeling became so strong in [Anne]_171-anne that little by little there developed in [her]_171-anne a nervous dread of [Hamlin]_447-hamlin : every time that [he]_447-hamlin approached [her]_171-anne alone , that [he]_447-hamlin fixed [his]_447-hamlin eyes on [her]_171-anne face or addressed [her]_171-anne by [her]_171-anne name , [she]_171-anne was aware of a chill throughout [her]_171-anne body , of a sudden pallor in [her]_171-anne face ; a chill , a pallor which , if noticed , must mean to [Hamlin]_447-hamlin that [she]_171-anne loved [him]_447-hamlin . Into this vague and painful suspense were vaguely mingled the suspicions which [she]_171-anne had formed regarding [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . Confusedly [Anne]_171-anne was conscious that the worthiness or unworthiness of [Sacha]_447-hamlin was not a matter of indifference to [her]_171-anne ; if [Sacha]_447-hamlin was [a mere hysterical liar]_{3419-a mere hysterical liar} , [she]_{3419-a mere hysterical liar} could not sincerely love [Hamlin]_447-hamlin , [Hamlin]_447-hamlin could not love [her]_{3419-a mere hysterical liar} ; and if [this man]_{1239-this man} and [this woman]_{5573-this woman} did not love [one another]_{1971-one another} , [Anne Brown]_171-anne was once more , what [she]_171-anne had for a brief time imagined that [she]_171-anne was no longer , [the slave of [[her]_171-anne protector]_{3424-her protector} , as [Mademoiselle Aïssé]_{432-mademoiselle aïssé} had been [the slave of [M. de Ferréol]_{435-m. de ferréol}]_{3425-the slave of m. de ferréol}]_{3423-the slave of her protector , as mademoiselle aïssé had been the slave of m. de ferréol} . Suddenly , one day , there came a change , and with it the end of the terrible doubt and fear which were corroding [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s soul . What had happened [Anne]_171-anne never clearly understood ; [she]_171-anne only perceived a change , and guessed that it was connected in some manner with the sudden disappearance of [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , and with some tremendous quarrel between [him]_353-lewis and [Hamlin]_447-hamlin which seemed to have preceded it . [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} , who had spent all [his]_353-lewis mornings in [[Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s studio]_{1127-hamlin ’s studio} , and all [his]_353-lewis evenings in [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s boudoir]_{3427-madame elaguine ’s boudoir} , appeared to have sunk into the ground ; [his]_353-lewis very name was scarcely mentioned ; and [Anne Brown]_171-anne , who hated the very sight of [the little man with the sealing‐wax lips and green cat‐like eyes]_{3428-the little man with the sealing‐wax lips and green cat‐like eyes} , who instinctively felt that [he]_{3428-the little man with the sealing‐wax lips and green cat‐like eyes} personified all the peculiarities which degraded [Hamlin]_447-hamlin in [her]_171-anne eyes , had a vague superstitious notion that now that [he]_{3428-the little man with the sealing‐wax lips and green cat‐like eyes} was gone everything would settle happily . What had [Lewis]_353-lewis done ? Had [he]_{3428-the little man with the sealing‐wax lips and green cat‐like eyes} insulted [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; and had this insulting , by [a man who was [[his]_{3428-the little man with the sealing‐wax lips and green cat‐like eyes} friend]_{696-his friend} , of [a woman whom [he]_{3428-the little man with the sealing‐wax lips and green cat‐like eyes} loved]_{3431-a woman whom he loved}]_{3429-a man who was his friend , of a woman whom he loved} , made [Hamlin]_447-hamlin suddenly conscious of [his]_447-hamlin love for [Sacha]_447-hamlin , and of [his]_447-hamlin duty to protect [an irresponsible little woman whom [his]_447-hamlin indecision was putting into a false position]_{3432-an irresponsible little woman whom his indecision was putting into a false position} ? The more [Miss Brown]_171-anne pored over the subject , the more did it seem as if there could be no other explanation . But whatever the explanation , the result was unmistakable . On the score of ill‐health , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had more or less dismissed [all those admiring and sympathising friends who had given [Hamlin]_447-hamlin so much umbrage]_{3433-all those admiring and sympathising friends who had given hamlin so much umbrage} , and [Hamlin]_447-hamlin had become almost [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} sole and constant visitor]_{3434-her sole and constant visitor} . [He]_447-hamlin appeared to have almost taken up [his]_447-hamlin abode at [the Russian ’s]_{3435-the russian ’s} . [He]_447-hamlin came to [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} for lunch as usual , but always found some excuse or other for leaving immediately after : [he]_447-hamlin was painting a portrait of [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , and [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} was too delicate to give [him]_447-hamlin sittings except in [[her]_{1267-his cousin} drawing‐room]_{3438-her drawing‐room} . [He]_447-hamlin not merely neglected [Anne]_171-anne , but obviously avoided [her]_171-anne . [He]_447-hamlin seemed to dread being left alone with [her]_171-anne , as much as [she]_171-anne , for such very different reasons , had dreaded to be left alone with [him]_447-hamlin : when [he]_447-hamlin did not succeed in getting away , [he]_447-hamlin was moody and depressed ; yet [he]_447-hamlin seemed moody and depressed also whenever , as was frequently the case , [he]_447-hamlin was sent for by [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , and whenever [Anne]_171-anne met [them]_3440-them together . It seemed to [Miss Brown]_171-anne as if [she]_171-anne could understand it all so well : [she]_171-anne , who was slow in understanding [others]_4163-others , felt as if [she]_171-anne knew [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s character as [[her]_171-anne own father]_{3442-her own father} must have known the construction and working of the machines which [she]_171-anne remembered seeing [him]_447-hamlin continually taking to pieces and setting up again . [Hamlin]_447-hamlin had been , so [Anne]_171-anne thought , obliged to admit to [himself]_447-hamlin that [he]_447-hamlin loved [[his]_447-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , and that [he]_447-hamlin had made [her]_{1267-his cousin} love [him]_447-hamlin ; and [he]_447-hamlin was depressed and irritated at [his]_447-hamlin own inability to take any decided course , at [his]_447-hamlin humiliation in finding that this was the end of all [his]_447-hamlin romance with [Anne]_171-anne , at [his]_447-hamlin dread of being obliged , sooner or later , to tell [Anne]_171-anne the truth ; nay , [Miss Brown]_171-anne thought [she]_171-anne knew [Hamlin]_447-hamlin sufficiently well to be persuaded that there entered into [his]_447-hamlin feelings a certain annoyance at having to forfeit the exotic and unhealthy pleasure of being partially in love with [two women]_{6452-two women} at a time , and at the impetuosity of [Sacha]_447-hamlin precipitating matters from a position of hesitation and self‐reproach , which was in some ways pleasant to [his]_447-hamlin peculiar temper , into a situation requiring a definite and prompt solution . Oh , [Anne]_171-anne had not suffered silently these two years , without getting to understand the strange character to which [her]_171-anne suffering was due . Yes , [she]_171-anne knew [Hamlin]_447-hamlin and what was passing in [his]_447-hamlin mind ; and the sense of power implied in this knowledge , the power of following all that [he]_447-hamlin felt and thought , gave [her]_171-anne a sort of pleasure , proportionate to that very sense of [her]_171-anne difficulty in understanding any character save [her]_171-anne own ; a curious rare pleasure , in which mingled the consciousness of the price at which it had been bought , and the almost ineffable consciousness that this that [she]_171-anne was studying concerned [her]_171-anne no more ; the pleasure , so often talked about , of [the man who has escaped the shipwreck and looks down upon [the dangerous waters]_{3446-the dangerous waters} in safety]_{3445-the man who has escaped the shipwreck and looks down upon the dangerous waters in safety} . Yes ; [she]_171-anne was safe ; [she]_171-anne was free . It gave [her]_171-anne a morbid pleasure also to watch [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , who , in the last month or so , ever since the quarrel with [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis and the consequent intimacy with [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} cousin]_{1291-her cousin} , had suddenly changed in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} manner towards [Anne]_171-anne — had shown a half‐savage , half‐childish desire to parade [her]_{360-madame elaguine} conquest before [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} rival]_{3448-her rival} , to let [her]_{360-madame elaguine} see how completely [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had taken [Hamlin]_447-hamlin away from [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , to humiliate and insult [her]_{360-madame elaguine} : the flaunting perversity of [a new sultana]_{3449-a new sultana} towards [an old one]_{4617-an old one} . [Anne]_171-anne had hitherto insisted on thinking that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was really [a very noble little woman]_{3451-a very noble little woman} , and this revelation of a base wish to wound and humiliate , hurt [her]_171-anne at first like some nauseous smell arising suddenly beneath [her]_171-anne nostrils . But disgust was soon replaced by that new and secret pleasure in the consciousness of understanding [this woman]_{5573-this woman} better than [she]_171-anne understood [herself]_171-anne ; by the pleasure in feeling how wasted were all [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s insults — how startled would not [the little woman]_{4885-the little woman} be , could [she]_171-anne but know that every proof of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} supremacy over [Hamlin]_447-hamlin was to [Miss Brown]_171-anne as [each successively sawed‐through window‐bar]_{3454-each successively sawed‐through window‐bar} is to [the prisoner pining for the day of deliverance]_{3455-the prisoner pining for the day of deliverance} . [Anne]_171-anne felt [herself]_171-anne getting into so singular a condition of excitement , losing so completely , under the pressure of these conflicting doubts and hopes in the past , of the great joy in the present , all [her]_171-anne usual self‐composure and self‐control , that [she]_171-anne took fiercely to working , to hurrying in every way through those studies which [she]_171-anne had long since begun in the sickening often‐deferred hope that they might become [her]_171-anne livelihood if [she]_171-anne should ever be released from [Hamlin]_144-hamlin . [Miss Brown]_171-anne had often and often , even when the sense of hopelessness had been bitterest , consoled [herself]_171-anne with what [she]_171-anne believed to be unrealisable dreams for the future ; and after going through many possible plans , [she]_171-anne had decided that if — if — [she]_171-anne should ever become [[her]_171-anne own mistress]_{3456-her own mistress} , [she]_171-anne would employ , resolutely determined to return it to [him]_447-hamlin some day , part of the money which [Hamlin]_447-hamlin had settled upon [her]_171-anne , in entering [Girton]_58-girton or [Newnham]_124-newnham , where [she]_171-anne would train [herself]_171-anne to become [a teacher in [a public school]_{3458-a public school}]_{3457-a teacher in a public school} . Almost mechanically , [her]_171-anne studies ( and restlessness , and the desire for something that should not be the harassing reality , had developed in [her]_171-anne a perfect passion for study ) fell into this programme . [She]_171-anne had gone in for political economy , history , and what [people]_577-people are pleased to call moral sciences . Now that liberty seemed on the point of being realised , and that [she]_171-anne felt the want of something to steady [her]_171-anne shaken nature , [she]_171-anne applied [herself]_171-anne to this work with redoubled ardour . “ If [you]_171-anne go on like that [you]_171-anne will get seedy , [Annie]_171-anne , ”_{[249-marjory]} warned [the practical Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory , now on the eve of becoming [Mrs Harry Collett]_{376-harry collett} . And [Marjory Leigh]_249-marjory proved right . The secret excitement of the last months , joined to the recent overwork , was too much for [Anne]_171-anne . One day [she]_171-anne was suddenly taken ill , and a little time later [she]_171-anne was delirious . “ Nervous prostration from overwork , ”_{[3460-the doctors]} said [the doctors]_{3460-the doctors} . A great remorse , which was at the same time a great triumph , rose up in [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s heart . “ [Sacha]_447-hamlin , ”_[447-hamlin] [he]_447-hamlin cried , one day as [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} came into [the studio]_{795-the studio} at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} , after visiting [the sick woman]_{3462-the sick woman} , “ it is [I]_447-hamlin who am killing [Anne]_171-anne ; and it is [you]_447-hamlin — [you]_447-hamlin — who are forcing [me]_447-hamlin to do it,”—and_[447-hamlin] [he]_447-hamlin tore the portrait of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} off the board of [his]_447-hamlin easel , and pulled the paper , in long ribbons , through [his]_447-hamlin fingers . “ It ’s no great harm , ”_{[5582-the russian]} said [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} , quietly ; “ [I]_{5582-the russian} ’m not quite such a guy as [you]_447-hamlin represented [me]_{5582-the russian} , [Watty]_178-watty , and [I]_{5582-the russian} ’m the better pleased not to go down to posterity like that . As to [Anne]_171-anne , do n’t flatter [yourself]_447-hamlin [you]_447-hamlin are breaking [her]_171-anne heart , for the excellent reason that there is none to break . Too much study ! [the doctor]_{5794-the doctor} says , and [he]_{5794-the doctor} knows . [A woman like that]_{6548-a woman like that} works only with [her]_171-anne brain . Too much Euclid , [Kant]_459-kant , [Hegel]_392-hegel , [Fichte]_460-fichte , & c. [You]_447-hamlin need n’t flatter [yourself]_447-hamlin that [you]_447-hamlin are of the company . Seriously , can [you]_447-hamlin be such [a baby]_{2747-a baby} as to imagine that if [that woman]_{1707-that woman} loved [you]_447-hamlin [she]_{1707-that woman} would n’t have turned [me]_{5582-the russian} out of doors ages ago ? Besides , [she]_{1707-that woman} talked only of [Girton College]_{125-girton college} and of [[her]_{1707-that woman} cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Richard]_{223-richard brown} when [she]_{1707-that woman} was delirious , [the nurse]_{604-the nurse} tells [me]_{5582-the russian} . ”_{[5582-the russian]} [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} watched [Hamlin]_447-hamlin as [she]_{360-madame elaguine} let these words drop , then [she]_{360-madame elaguine} burst out laughing . “ [Poor Walter]_{461-poor walter} ! what a misfortune it is to be [a poet]_{498-a poet} and to be vain ! [I]_{360-madame elaguine} am really grieved for [you]_{461-poor walter} . But sooner or later [you]_447-hamlin would understand that when [a woman]_{3960-a woman} has no heart , but only ‘ a muscle for pumping the blood to the extremities , ’ as [one of [[her]_{3960-a woman} professors]_{6556-her professors}]_{6555-one of her professors} calls it , [she]_{3960-a woman} ca n’t love ; and that , moreover , [no woman]_{4308-no woman} will ever understand or love [you]_447-hamlin , [[you]_447-hamlin silly person]_{6558-you silly person} , except [[your]_447-hamlin cousin]_{4341-your cousin} [Sacha]_447-hamlin . ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , who had come to [the studio]_{795-the studio} door , and , not being troubled with scruples when [base creatures like [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine}]_{3465-base creatures like madame elaguine} were concerned , and having , moreover , a violent curiosity about everything concerning [the Eternal Feminine]_{462-the eternal feminine} , had listened at the keyhole , affirmed to [Miss Brown]_171-anne some time after that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had then and there put [her]_{360-madame elaguine} arms round [Hamlin]_447-hamlin ’s neck , and called [him]_447-hamlin [a poor , vain little baby]_{3466-a poor , vain little baby} . ON recovering from that long delirium , during which [she]_171-anne had raved only about the past and the future , about [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} , [the Perrys]_{167-the perrys} , [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} , [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin , [Girton College]_{125-girton college} , and political economy , but never — by some singular obliviousness of the present — about [Hamlin]_379-hamlin and [[Sacha,—the]_{464-sacha,—the} first persons that [Anne Brown]_171-anne]_{3467-sacha,—the first persons that anne brown} recognised about [her]_171-anne were [the Leigh girls]_{4986-the leigh girls} . [Marjory]_249-marjory had postponed [her]_249-marjory marriage in order to help [[her]_249-marjory sister]_{603-her sister} in nursing [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; and [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} had gladly accepted [their]_3470-their proposal to settle for the time being in [the house]_{509-the house} at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} , [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} [herself]_{243-mrs macgregor} being far too unpractical to be of any use . [Anne]_171-anne ’s impressions were vague , diffuse ; the ideas aud sensations , the slight amount of life of one day of early convalescence being , so to speak , diluted into what were really days and weeks , day and night succeeding each other confusedly to [the girl]_{583-the girl} , but feebly awake and for ever falling asleep . It was a dream , but a pleasant one , consisting of veiled misty impressions , separated by tracts of lethargy : impressions of the kind faces and voices of [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} and [Marjory]_249-marjory , of the gleams of sunshine on the carpet , of the waving of treetops outside the window , of the whistle of the steamboat on [the Thames]_{67-the thames} ; the song of the canary in [[the housekeeper]_{2330-the housekeeper} ’s room]_{2331-the housekeeper ’s room} — the cry of [the milkman]_{3475-the milkman} ; of the bunches of big red and yellow roses put down upon the sheet before [her]_171-anne ; of the broth and jelly and tea feebly refused , and yet greedily swallowed,—trifles , nothings , but transformed by the haze of mixed weakness and relief into things possessing a charm , and never to be forgotten . The mere sense of rest and renovation constituted a sort of happiness , with which mingled the consciousness of the kindness of those round her,—of [the Leigh girls]_{4986-the leigh girls} and [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , who were in [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} nearly all day ; of [Mrs Spencer]_{288-mrs spencer} , who came from [the other end of [London]_4-london]_{3478-the other end of london} every afternoon ; of [Chough]_379-hamlin and [[Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin , who came to make inquiries ; even of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , whose magnificent bundles and baskets of flowers and fruit arrived regularly , together with the bunch of sweet‐peas and pinks which [Chough]_379-hamlin had bought at [the greengrocer ’s]_{3479-the greengrocer ’s} , or the sprigs of laburnum which [he]_379-hamlin had stolen in [the park]_{6544-the park}]_379-hamlin . Everything in [the world]_{496-the world} seemed so good and simple ; all worries and doubts had gone with the dreadful visions of the delirious nights . [Anne]_171-anne had never in [her]_171-anne life felt so simply , completely happy ; perhaps because , with [her]_171-anne tense and tragic character , perfect happiness was possible only in weakness and vagueness . Little by little the past became concrete once more ; but it became concrete as the past , all [her]_171-anne doubts and difficulties remaining far distant behind [her]_171-anne , like the Alps which [the traveller]_{3482-the traveller} has arduously crossed , and looks back upon from [the warm Lombard plain]_{3483-the warm lombard plain} . [She]_171-anne took up [her]_171-anne position and feelings where [she]_171-anne had left them : [she]_171-anne felt [herself]_171-anne free . At first [she]_171-anne could scarcely tell why , as [we]_3484-we sometimes can scarcely account to [ourselves]_3484-we for something which has happened the previous day , and which , though forgotten , fills [us]_3484-we with vague pleasure or pain on awakening . Then [she]_171-anne began to understand once more , and to add to [her]_171-anne recollections what [she]_171-anne could make out of the present . [She]_171-anne noticed that [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs} scarcely ever spoke of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; that [they]_3485-they brought in [his]_379-hamlin flowers , books , and messages with a certain constraint , even , [she]_171-anne thought , with an occasional look of disgust and indignation . And [they]_3485-they never , never once mentioned [Madame EIaguine]_{465-madame eiaguine} . “ What has become of [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked one day , rolling [her]_171-anne head , with face even paler than before , and black crisp hair just beginning to cluster after cropping short , on the pillows . “ Has [she]_386-sacha gone out of [town]_821-town ? [You]_{324-mary leigh} have never spoken about [her]_386-sacha , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} . ”_[171-anne] [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , who was seated , holding [Anne]_171-anne ’s thin white hand , did not raise [her]_{324-mary leigh} head ; and [Marjory]_249-marjory , who was pouring out the tea hard by , flushed scarlet . “ Have n’t [I]_{324-mary leigh} ? Oh yes , [I]_{324-mary leigh} must , ”_{[324-mary leigh]} answered [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , still keeping [her]_{324-mary leigh} eyes on the pattern of the carpet . “ [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ? Oh , [she]_386-sacha ’s just as usual . ”_{[324-mary leigh]} “ [Odious little brute]_{6561-odious little brute} , ”_{[249-marjory]} scowled [Marjory]_249-marjory . [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} raised [her]_{324-mary leigh} head sharply , and gave [[her]_{324-mary leigh} sister]_{603-her sister} a look of reproof . [Anne]_171-anne asked no more . [She]_171-anne had understood : during [her]_171-anne illness [Sacha]_386-sacha had tightened [her]_386-sacha hold on [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; [the Leighs]_{5461-the leighs} had seen it , or been told , and [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} was afraid lest [[her]_{324-mary leigh} sister]_{603-her sister} should let out to [the invalid]_{3489-the invalid} what [she]_171-anne imagined to be a heart‐breaking secret . “ [I]_171-anne am free ! ”_[171-anne] thought [Anne]_171-anne ; and repeated these words to [herself]_171-anne every time that [one of [the Leighs]_{327-the leighs}]_{3490-one of the leighs} spoke coldly of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , or looked savage when [he]_379-hamlin was mentioned . And sometimes [she]_{324-mary leigh} fancied that [she]_{324-mary leigh} could distinguish in the face and manner of [the true‐hearted Mary]_{324-mary leigh} , of [the indignant Marjory]_249-marjory , the pain and perplexity of foreseeing that [they]_3491-they possessed a terrible secret , that [they]_3491-they must make a terrible revelation . Once , [she]_{324-mary leigh} felt sure , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} ’s heart had almost burst for [her]_{324-mary leigh} silence . [Miss Leigh]_{332-miss leigh} had brought in [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s usual gift of flowers , a bunch of beautiful white roses and jasmine ; [she]_{332-miss leigh} was going to hand it to [Anne]_171-anne , when [her]_{332-miss leigh} face suddenly contracted , and [she]_{332-miss leigh} stuffed the flowers roughly into a jar . “ Wo n’t [you]_{324-mary leigh} let [me]_171-anne smell [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s flowers , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} ? ”_[171-anne] asked [Anne]_171-anne from [her]_171-anne bed . [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} gave [her]_171-anne a long strange look . “ They are n’t fit for [you]_171-anne , [Anne]_171-anne , ”_{[324-mary leigh]} said [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} , in a hoarse voice ; “ they ’re horrible , morbid sort of things — they’ll just make [your]_171-anne head ache . ”_{[324-mary leigh]} “ [My]_171-anne head is much stronger than [you]_{324-mary leigh} think , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne ; “ let [me]_171-anne have them — they are lovely . The jasmine does n’t smell like ordinary jasmine . What is it?—it smells like the incense that [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha burns in [her]_386-sacha boudoir ; it ’s nice , but too strong . [I]_171-anne wonder whether [they]_6562-they have been in [her]_386-sacha boudoir to catch it . It ’s very kind of [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin to bring them to [me]_171-anne , especially as”—Anne_[171-anne] looked up with a smile which frightened [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} out of [her]_{324-mary leigh} wits—“he does n’t care a bit about [me]_{324-mary leigh} any longer , [you]_{324-mary leigh} know . ”_{[324-mary leigh]} [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} threw [herself]_{324-mary leigh} on [her]_{324-mary leigh} knees before [Anne]_171-anne ’s bed , and drawing [her]_{324-mary leigh} head to [her]_{324-mary leigh} , kissed [her]_{324-mary leigh} . “ Oh , [Annie]_171-anne , [Annie]_171-anne , [[my]_{324-mary leigh} darling]_{6563-my darling} ! ”_{[324-mary leigh]} [she]_{324-mary leigh} cried . “ [You]_{324-mary leigh} are good , ”_{[324-mary leigh]} answered [Anne—“you]_{466-anne—“you} are good to love [me]_{324-mary leigh} so . But [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin is also very good , although [he]_145-hamlin does n’t love [me]_{324-mary leigh} . [I]_{324-mary leigh} am very happy — so happy , [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} dear . ”_{[324-mary leigh]} “ [She]_171-anne is mad , ”_{[324-mary leigh]} thought [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} , in terror , as [Anne]_171-anne threw [her]_171-anne head back , smiling , [her]_171-anne onyx‐grey eyes beaming , on the pillow . And [she]_{324-mary leigh} resolved that , as long as [she]_{324-mary leigh} could help , [Anne Brown]_171-anne should not know what [she]_{324-mary leigh} knew , and what , every time that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s name was mentioned , sickened [her]_{324-mary leigh} heart . Some days later [Miss Brown]_171-anne was sufficiently well to exchange [her]_171-anne bed for a couch in [the drawing‐room down‐stairs]_{3492-the drawing‐room down‐stairs} ; and then [Hamlin]_145-hamlin asked whether [he]_145-hamlin might be admitted to see [her]_171-anne for a few minutes . [He]_145-hamlin seemed painfully impressed at the sight of [Anne]_171-anne , whom [he]_145-hamlin was accustomed to see looking [the embodiment of physical strength]_{3493-the embodiment of physical strength} , [a sort of primeval warrior‐woman]_{3494-a sort of primeval warrior‐woman} , stretched out on the sofa , so thin and hollow‐checked , so pale , with a pallor quite different from the natural opaque ivory pallor of [her]_171-anne complexion ; so weak of voice and gesture , so wholly despoiled , it seemed to [him]_145-hamlin , of [her]_171-anne usual sombre haughtiness : resigned , and with the gentleness of [a sick child]_{1287-a sick child} . [He]_145-hamlin was silent and depressed , as [a man]_{503-a man} might be who knew [her]_171-anne to be more seriously ill than [she]_171-anne thought ; and yet , as [Anne]_171-anne was well aware , it was most obvious to [him]_145-hamlin and to [every one]_{4712-every one} that [she]_171-anne was entirely out of danger , and rapidly recovering . [Miss Brown]_171-anne understood : [he]_145-hamlin was weighed down , but with a worse conscience than [Mary Leigh,—by]_{467-mary leigh,—by} the thought that [this woman]_{5573-this woman} was unaware of the sort of treachery which was being committed behind [her]_{5573-this woman} back . [Anne]_171-anne , on the other hand , felt more really pleased to see [him]_145-hamlin than [she]_171-anne had done this long time past ; it seemed as if , now that the bond which tied [her]_171-anne to [him]_145-hamlin was loosened , [she]_171-anne could see once more all that was amiable and noble in him,—that [she]_171-anne could like [him]_145-hamlin again , feel towards [him]_145-hamlin simply , naturally , as towards [a friend]_{4706-a friend} and [benefactor]_{3500-benefactor} . And [she]_171-anne felt sorry for [his]_145-hamlin depression , for what [she]_171-anne imagined to be [his]_145-hamlin self‐reproach ; desirous of telling [him]_145-hamlin almost , then and there , that [he]_145-hamlin need not make [himself]_145-hamlin unhappy , that [he]_145-hamlin was free to love [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} . [Miss Brown]_171-anne was still unfit for much conversation ; and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin seemed glad to cut short the interview . [She]_171-anne asked [him]_145-hamlin to raise one of the blinds ; and when the light streamed upon [his]_145-hamlin face , [she]_171-anne thought [she]_171-anne saw in it something unusual , something beyond [his]_145-hamlin mere usual melancholy , a lassitude and look of being worried ; again [she]_171-anne felt sorry for [him]_145-hamlin . “ How is [[your]_145-hamlin cousin]_{4341-your cousin} [Sacha]_386-sacha ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked . “ [She]_{4341-your cousin} is well , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin answered briefly , “ and — sends [you]_171-anne many messages . [I]_145-hamlin do n’t let [her]_{4341-your cousin} come , because [she]_{4341-your cousin} would excite [you]_171-anne . Goodbye . ”_[145-hamlin] Every afternoon [Hamlin]_145-hamlin returned for a short time . [Anne]_171-anne ’s first impression was merely strengthened ; [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was extraordinarily depressed , worried‐looking , taciturn . [Anne]_171-anne felt really sorry for [him]_145-hamlin ; [he]_145-hamlin was evidently , [she]_171-anne thought , eating [his]_145-hamlin heart out in doubts and self‐reproach ; [he]_145-hamlin had gone too far with [Sacha]_386-sacha to retreat , and yet [his]_145-hamlin engagement to [Miss Brown]_171-anne forbade [his]_145-hamlin taking a decisive step . After all , [he]_145-hamlin was truer and nobler than [she]_171-anne had thought , more of [her]_171-anne real Hamlin of former days ; [she]_171-anne reflected that this hostility of temperament and aims between [them]_3502-them , this long and sickening endurance of a bond which suited neither , had made [her]_171-anne unjust and bitter towards [him]_145-hamlin , prone to seek for only [his]_145-hamlin worse sides , neglectful of [his]_145-hamlin good ones . [She]_171-anne felt that it was not the least benefit of [her]_171-anne release that [she]_171-anne could now be perfectly grateful once more ; that [she]_171-anne could give to [this man]_{1239-this man} the affection which [he]_145-hamlin really deserved , and which [she]_171-anne really felt , now that the terrible debt of love was cancelled . [She]_171-anne was sorry , very sorry for [him]_145-hamlin , and determined that , since [he]_145-hamlin had not the heart , it was for [her]_171-anne to speak . But invariably , and as if warned by a secret intuition , [he]_145-hamlin had interrupted the conversation , and gone away whenever [she]_171-anne had been on the point of speaking . The bare name of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} seemed enough to send [him]_145-hamlin away ; and yet , whenever [Anne]_171-anne succeeded in making [him]_145-hamlin speak of [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , [he]_145-hamlin had spoken of [her]_171-anne with a strange bitterness , and almost disgust . “ [He]_145-hamlin is mean , after all , ”_[171-anne] thought [Anne]_171-anne ; “ [he]_145-hamlin is angry with [poor Sacha]_386-sacha for being the cause of [his]_145-hamlin finding [himself]_145-hamlin in a false position . ”_[171-anne] And [she]_171-anne determined that [she]_171-anne would speak , not to [him]_145-hamlin but to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; [she]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne could not endure the way in which [he]_145-hamlin would assuredly seek to whitewash [himself]_145-hamlin at [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ’s expense . Mean , very mean ; nay , something more than mean . What irritation or hypocrisy could induce [him]_145-hamlin to speak of [the woman whom [he]_145-hamlin loved with a sort of constant innuendo , a constant sort of undercurrent of disgust]_{3506-the woman whom he loved with a sort of constant innuendo , a constant sort of undercurrent of disgust} ? And again [she]_171-anne began to despise and dislike [him]_145-hamlin . Another thing soon struck [her]_171-anne . There was something unusual about [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s appearance . Somewhat effeminate [he]_145-hamlin had always been in [his]_145-hamlin aristocratic refinement ; but now it seemed to [her]_171-anne as if there were in [his]_145-hamlin face a something , half physical , half spiritual , a vague , helpless , half‐stupefied look , which made [her]_171-anne think of [that hysterical tippling little poet Dennistoun , whom [she]_171-anne disliked so much]_{347-dennistoun} . [Her]_171-anne mind reverted to what [she]_171-anne had heard about [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis having , at one period , induced [Hamlin]_145-hamlin to take opium . “ Is [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} back ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin flushed all over . “ [Lewis]_353-lewis is not likely to return , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin answered briefly . What was the meaning of it all ? [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was also , [she]_171-anne noticed , no longer as careful in [his]_145-hamlin dress as [he]_145-hamlin had formerly been ; there was something vaguely rowdy about [him]_145-hamlin . And once , as [he]_145-hamlin stooped over [her]_171-anne to rearrange the cushions under [her]_171-anne head , it seemed to [her]_171-anne — was it true or not?—that [she]_171-anne felt a sickening whiff , like those which [she]_171-anne well remembered since [her]_171-anne childhood , when [[her]_171-anne father]_{4143-her father} had come in from drinking and taken [her]_171-anne on [his]_145-hamlin knees . Was it possible that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , weak as [he]_145-hamlin was , and feeling [himself]_145-hamlin cornered in a false position , had taken to drinking — to drinking , which had been the fatal vice of [[his]_145-hamlin family]_{5069-his family} , of [[his]_145-hamlin brother]_{5101-his brother} , [father]_5102-father , and of [[his]_145-hamlin uncles]_{3511-his uncles} , in order to rid [himself]_145-hamlin of [his]_145-hamlin worries ? [She]_171-anne must speak to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . [She]_171-anne must let [them]_3512-them know that [they]_3512-them were free . WHILE [she]_171-anne was in this perplexity about [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [Miss Brown]_171-anne received a visit from [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} [Dick]_379-hamlin . [She]_171-anne had scarcely seen [him]_145-hamlin , and never alone , since that memorable walk [home]_4170-home from [Professor Richmond]_{439-professor richmond} ’s lecture . Whether from the sense that [he]_145-hamlin had gone too far , that [his]_145-hamlin violence had offended and frightened [her]_171-anne ; or whether , more probably , from [his]_145-hamlin having rushed to the conclusion that [she]_171-anne was unattainable and perhaps unworthy of [his]_145-hamlin seeking , [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had kept studiously out of [her]_171-anne way . For the first time in [his]_145-hamlin life [he]_145-hamlin came in with hesitation and almost shyness . [He]_145-hamlin sat down by the side of [her]_171-anne arm‐chair , and spoke with a gentleness , a courtesy , that were quite unusual in [him]_145-hamlin , and had a charm just from their contrast with [his]_145-hamlin downright and gruff personality . The conversation rolled upon various indifferent subjects ; [he]_145-hamlin seemed to be feeling [his]_145-hamlin way to something , trying to decide whether [she]_171-anne was strong enough to admit of [his]_145-hamlin saying something which weighed on [his]_145-hamlin mind . “ [You]_171-anne are nearly recovered now ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked . “ Do [you]_171-anne feel as if [you]_171-anne were getting [your]_171-anne strength back , [Anne]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ Oh yes , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered ; “ [I]_171-anne feel wonderfully well . [I]_171-anne have been for a drive these last few days , and [I]_171-anne am sure [I]_171-anne could walk , if only [they]_6565-they would let [me]_171-anne . [I]_171-anne only feel very tired and lazy every now and then . ”_[171-anne] There was a pause . “ Do [you]_171-anne remember what [you]_171-anne told [me]_145-hamlin that afternoon when [we]_6566-we walked [home]_4170-home from [Richmond]_{439-professor richmond} ’s lecture — a rainy day at the end of March ? ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin asked suddenly . “ Yes , [I]_145-hamlin do . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_171-anne said , if [you]_171-anne remember , that [you]_171-anne did not care for [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , and that [you]_171-anne felt [yourself]_171-anne bound to [him]_145-hamlin only by gratitude and the sense that [he]_145-hamlin wanted [you]_171-anne — do [you]_171-anne remember , [Nan]_171-anne ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ [I]_{223-richard brown} remember perfectly . Well ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had spoken slowly and watching [her]_3515-i face ; and [he]_{223-richard brown} seemed surprised at the perfect calm which [he]_{223-richard brown} read in it . “ Well , [I]_{223-richard brown} think it is right that [you]_171-anne should know what is by this time known by all [[your]_171-anne acquaintances]_{6568-your acquaintances} . [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin no longer wants [you]_171-anne ; [he]_145-hamlin has entirely thrown [you]_171-anne over for [another woman]_{4381-another woman} . [He]_145-hamlin is — [I]_{223-richard brown} do n’t know exactly what to call it , and do n’t mean any innuendo — well — [the accepted lover of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine}]_{6570-the accepted lover of madame elaguine} . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Anne]_171-anne nodded . “ [I]_3515-i know it , ”_[3515-i] [she]_3515-i answered coolly . “ [I]_3515-i have known it , or at least guessed it , since a long while . ”_[3515-i] [Richard]_{223-richard brown} was surprised , and , unconsciously perhaps to [himself]_{223-richard brown} , mortified . [He]_{223-richard brown} had always resented [[his]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ’s fidelity to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , had always , with [his]_{223-richard brown} tendency to seek for base motives wherever [he]_{223-richard brown} could not sympathise , suspected that this fidelity was a mere cover for an unworthy love of [the fine æsthetic gentleman]_{3517-the fine æsthetic gentleman} or for [his]_145-hamlin fortune and position ; and [he]_{223-richard brown} had anticipated a certain pleasure in seeing [Anne]_171-anne wince beneath [his]_{223-richard brown} revelation . “ It is no business of [mine]_{223-richard brown} to pass a judgment over [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} proceeded slowly , and wondering , suspicious as [he]_{223-richard brown} always was with [women]_3959-women , of the genuineness of [Anne]_171-anne ’s imperturbability ; “ the whole business seems to [me]_{223-richard brown} quite consonant with all [my]_{223-richard brown} notions of [his]_145-hamlin character . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ [I]_171-anne do not think [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has acted dishonourably towards [me]_171-anne , ”_[171-anne] put in [Anne]_171-anne , quietly ; “ on the contrary , [I]_171-anne feel sure that [he]_145-hamlin reproaches [himself]_145-hamlin much more than [he]_145-hamlin need . ”_[171-anne] “ Very likely . What [I]_3519-you was going to say is merely that this new turn which matters have taken necessarily implies an entire change in [your]_171-anne position towards [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [He]_145-hamlin no longer wants [you]_171-anne ; [you]_171-anne are therefore free . Am [I]_3519-you correct in [my]_3519-you view of the case ? ”_[3519-you] [He]_3519-you was speaking with a deference to [her]_171-anne opinion quite new in [him]_3519-you . “ As far as [I]_171-anne can judge , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , playing with a big lapis‐lazuli rosary which [she]_171-anne had taken off [her]_171-anne neck , “ [I]_171-anne think [you]_3519-you are quite correct , [Dick]_379-hamlin . [I]_171-anne believe [I]_171-anne am free . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne hesitated and spoke the last words almost inaudibly , as if superstitiously afraid that they should be heard . “ In that case [I]_171-anne presume [you]_3519-you will have to remodel [your]_3519-you life . Have [you]_3519-you thought of any plans ? ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_171-anne have thought over the matter a good deal . [My]_171-anne intention , as soon as [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [I]_171-anne have come to an explanation , which will be shortly , is to go to [Ireland]_127-ireland for a few months with [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , to finish getting well and to finish some preparatory work , and then to go up to [Girton]_58-girton . [I]_171-anne should be able to pass the entrance examination in another three months . [You]_3519-you see , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne added , “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , in spending the money that [he]_145-hamlin has in turning [me]_171-anne into [a lady]_{3943-a lady} , has made it difficult for [me]_171-anne to take to any such livelihood as would have naturally been [mine]_171-anne under other circumstances ; and [I]_171-anne think , therefore , that [I]_171-anne have a right to invest a portion of the money which [he]_145-hamlin has settled upon [me]_171-anne , and which [he]_145-hamlin fully intended [me]_171-anne to keep in any ease , in qualifying [myself]_171-anne for the only sort of business for which [I]_171-anne am now fit . [He]_145-hamlin has settled upon [me]_171-anne the equivalent of five hundred a‐year , apart from the expenses of [this house]_{4073-this house} , of which [I]_171-anne know nothing . Much less than that would more than cover the expenses of keeping [me]_171-anne at [Girton]_58-girton and of starting [me]_171-anne as [a teacher]_{4134-a teacher} or [journalist]_{6574-journalist} ; and once fairly started , [I]_171-anne hope [I]_171-anne should be able to support [myself]_171-anne and gradually to refund this money . Do [you]_6575-you think that would be fair , [Dick]_379-hamlin ? [You]_6575-you see , it is quite useless for [me]_171-anne to think of ever repaying , even if money could repay in such matters , what [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has spent upon [me]_171-anne during all these years . ”_[171-anne] [She]_3520-she seemed to hesitate , to be afraid of being mean , of appearing to take advantage of [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s generosity . “ Do [you]_6575-you really contemplate renouncing the fortune which [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin settled on [you]_6575-you ? giving up all the luxury to which [he]_145-hamlin has accustomed [you]_6575-you , [Annie]_171-anne ? ”_[3520-she] [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , disinterested though [he]_{223-richard brown} was , was too deeply impressed with the mercenary temper of [mankind]_5019-mankind , to believe very easily in such sentiments . “ Why , of course , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne . “ When [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin marries [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , [he]_145-hamlin will find , that [he]_145-hamlin has not too much with all [his]_145-hamlin money . And [I]_171-anne would certainly not keep any of it as soon as [I]_171-anne could do without ; though heaven knows [I]_171-anne am not ungrateful , nor so silly as to fancy that [I]_171-anne should be in the very least lightening [my]_171-anne obligation towards [him]_145-hamlin . ”_[171-anne] [Richard]_{223-richard brown} did not answer for a moment . “ Listen , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said , not without hesitation “ [I]_{223-richard brown} am nearer to [you]_171-anne than [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin and whatever [I]_{223-richard brown} am , [I]_{223-richard brown} owe it to [[your]_171-anne father]_{3947-your father} . [I]_{223-richard brown} find [I]_{223-richard brown} have just made a very considerable and quite unexpected profit off some mining shares which [Mr Gillespie]_{443-mr gillespie} left [me]_{223-richard brown} . Let [me]_{223-richard brown} advance [you]_171-anne out of this money whatever may be wanted to defray [your]_171-anne expenses at college ; [you]_171-anne will repay [me]_{223-richard brown} when [you]_171-anne find it convenient . In this way , [you]_171-anne will be entirely independent of [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin at once : [you]_171-anne can let [him]_145-hamlin have all [his]_145-hamlin money . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} hesitated , in a way very singular in [his]_{223-richard brown} cut‐and‐dry nature ; [he]_{223-richard brown} seemed prepared for a rebuff . “ [You]_171-anne are very kind , [Dick]_379-hamlin ; but [I]_{223-richard brown} ca n’t accept [your]_171-anne offer . [I]_{223-richard brown} owe it to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , in return for all the generosity [he]_145-hamlin has shown towards [me]_{223-richard brown} and would still show , that [I]_{223-richard brown} should never accept anything from [any man]_{1338-any man} but [him]_145-hamlin , even if [I]_{223-richard brown} were not resolved never to put [myself]_{223-richard brown} under such an obligation again . [I]_{223-richard brown} have no right to prefer [your]_171-anne generosity to [his]_145-hamlin . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was silent . Then , after a moment , [they]_3522-they fell to talking about the plans and theories which occupied [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin ’s mind . [He]_379-hamlin was unusually gentle and modest ; [he]_379-hamlin really seemed to be losing some of that narrowness which had been the ugly side of [his]_379-hamlin powerful and upright nature . “ [You]_171-anne are becoming quite tolerant , [Dick]_379-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] remarked [Anne]_171-anne . “ Six months ago [you]_171-anne could never have conceived that [any one unlike [yourself]_171-anne or differing from [your]_171-anne views]_{6579-any one unlike yourself or differing from your views} could have anything good in [him]_145-hamlin . [I]_171-anne am very glad ; it will make [you]_171-anne more hopeful of [the world]_{496-the world} , and show [you]_171-anne a lot of energy and good faith which deserves to be united to [your]_171-anne own , and which [you]_171-anne would formerly have thrown upon the dust‐heap . ”_[171-anne] “ [You]_171-anne are right , ”_[171-anne] answered [Brown]_171-anne . “ [I]_171-anne feel that [I]_171-anne have diminished [my]_171-anne own usefulness by not admitting any other kind of usefulness than [my]_171-anne own . [I]_171-anne often catch [myself]_171-anne thinking , now , that [my]_171-anne great danger lies in [my]_171-anne tendency to underrate [people]_577-people ; sometimes it seems as if , unless [I]_171-anne can struggle against it , it will invade and sterilise [my]_171-anne whole nature . ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_171-anne am so glad [you]_171-anne feel like that , [Dick]_379-hamlin . ”_[171-anne] “ And do [you]_171-anne know , ”_[3523-i] [he]_3523-i continued , “ [I]_3523-i think this change is due to [you]_171-anne ; knowing [you]_171-anne has shown [me]_3523-i how horribly unreasonable and unjust [I]_3523-i am apt to be in [my]_3523-i preconceived notions . [I]_3523-i really did think [you]_171-anne an æsthete once , [Annie]_171-anne ; nay , at one time , [I]_3523-i was so base as to think that [you]_171-anne were base , that [you]_171-anne cared for [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s position and money and good looks , while not caring for [him]_379-hamlin . Will [you]_171-anne forgive [me]_3523-i , [Annie]_171-anne ? ”_[3523-i] [He]_3523-i bent over [her]_3524-she , and took [her]_3524-she hand . [She]_3524-she let [him]_3523-i hold it for a minute . [She]_3524-she felt so strangely free , so safe , so happy somehow with [this man , whose presence had so often been a threat and an insult]_{3525-this man , whose presence had so often been a threat and an insult} . “ [I]_3524-she wonder whether [you]_3523-i will ever learn to be just to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[3524-she] [she]_3524-she mused . “ [I]_3524-she will do [my]_3524-she best . ”_[3524-she] [She]_3524-she had withdrawn [her]_3524-she hand from [his]_3523-i . “ [I]_171-anne wonder whether [I]_171-anne have ever been just to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne . [Richard]_{223-richard brown} reddened . “ What makes [you]_{223-richard brown} say that , [Nan]_171-anne ? ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_3524-she do n’t know . [I]_3524-she feel how difficult it is for a nature like [mine]_3524-she to be just towards , to understand , any one outside it . ”_[3524-she] “ Can [you]_{223-richard brown} be just towards [me]_{223-richard brown} ? ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} suddenly asked . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} am , [I]_{223-richard brown} think . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ Do [you]_{223-richard brown} think , then , ”_[3524-she] went on [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , “ that during the time [you]_{223-richard brown} spend at [Girton]_58-girton [you]_{223-richard brown} could try a little and understand [me,—you]_{223-richard brown} could try and like [me]_3524-she a little , [Annie]_171-anne ? ”_[3524-she] “ [I]_3526-she do like [you]_{223-richard brown} , [Richard]_{223-richard brown} , ”_[3526-she] [she]_3526-she answered coldly ; but a quiet happiness , like that of a windless , half‐covered morning in [the fields]_{1027-the fields} , stole over [her]_3526-she . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} do n’t mean this , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said , rising . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} want [you]_{223-richard brown} to like [me]_{223-richard brown} , [Nan]_171-anne , as much — as much as [you]_{223-richard brown} thought [you]_{223-richard brown} liked [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head sadly . “ That is quite impossible , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said : “ [one]_620-one does n’t feel like that twice , [I]_171-anne fancy , [Richard]_{223-richard brown} , any more than [one]_620-one believes twice in angels or such things . ”_[171-anne] [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} frowned . [She]_3526-she could never pluck [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin in some shape , real or false , out of [her]_3526-she heart . “ Good‐bye , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said ; “ [I]_{223-richard brown} fear [I]_{223-richard brown} have tired [you]_{223-richard brown} . [Annie]_171-anne , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} added , “ it is idiotic , is n’t it ? but all the time [you]_{223-richard brown} were ill , even until [I]_{223-richard brown} came into [this room]_{6017-this room} , [I]_{223-richard brown} kept hoping that [you]_{223-richard brown} might have lost [your]_{223-richard brown} looks — that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin might be quite unable ever to care for [you]_{223-richard brown} again — that [you]_{223-richard brown} might have ceased to be , in this sort of way , above [me]_{223-richard brown} . And yet , when [I]_{223-richard brown} saw [you]_{223-richard brown} , [I]_{223-richard brown} was glad it was not so . Oh , [Nan]_171-anne , promise [me]_{223-richard brown} [you]_{223-richard brown} will try and like [me]_{223-richard brown} a little . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ Please do n’t say that , [Dick]_379-hamlin . [I]_3528-my have been [a slave]_{2670-a slave} , [a prisoner]_{6586-a prisoner} . Ca n’t [you]_379-hamlin understand that [my]_3528-my great joy is the sense of [my]_3528-my freedom , [my]_3528-my sense of belonging to [no one]_{3899-no one} , caring about [no one]_{3899-no one} ? Ca n’t [you]_379-hamlin understand that it seems horrible to [me]_3528-my to even think that [I]_3528-my could ever care for [any one]_{4101-any one} again ? Ca n’t [you]_379-hamlin let [me]_3528-my enjoy [my]_3528-my liberty , at least until [I]_3528-my have realised that it is n’t a dream ? ”_[3528-my] [She]_3528-my spoke with impetuosity , but gently ; and [[her]_3528-my cousin]_{1291-her cousin} did not feel rebuked . “ By the way , ”_{[1291-her cousin]} [he]_{1291-her cousin} said , “ [I]_{1291-her cousin} suppose [you]_3528-my have heard who is expected [here]_3884-here soon — [[your]_3528-my old friend]_{6591-your old friend} , [Melton Perry]_146-perry . ”_{[1291-her cousin]} “ [Melton Perry]_146-perry ! ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne . It seemed such centuries since [she]_171-anne had heard that name last . “ Oh , [I]_171-anne shall be so glad to see [him]_{6591-your old friend} , [he]_{6591-your old friend} is such [a good man]_{3321-a good man} ! ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne walked up and down after [Dick]_379-hamlin had left . [Melton Perry]_146-perry ! the name brought up [the far , far distant past]_{3530-the far , far distant past} — a vision of [the untidy house at [Florence]_6-florence]_{3531-the untidy house at florence} ; of [Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s lean and Sapphic profile ; of the tall grass and crushed herbs in [the vineyard of [the Villa Arnolfini]_{734-the villa arnolfini}]_{3532-the vineyard of the villa arnolfini} ; of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin as [she]_171-anne had first known [him]_379-hamlin — [a mysterious , unattainable ideal high above [her]_171-anne]_{3534-a mysterious , unattainable ideal high above her} ; of [the studio at the top of the tower]_{3535-the studio at the top of the tower} ; of [herself]_171-anne , as [she]_171-anne recollected [herself]_171-anne to have been , [a sombre , unhappy creature , with whose identity [she]_171-anne seemed to have no connection , and into whose dark and confused mind [she]_171-anne felt unable to see]_{3536-a sombre , unhappy creature , with whose identity she seemed to have no connection , and into whose dark and confused mind she felt unable to see} . There was something very painful in this sudden return of the past in company with [[her]_171-anne old friend]_{3537-her old friend} , and [Anne]_171-anne thought bitterly of the difference between the dreams of happiness , so positive , so perfect , of those days , and the reality of happiness , so negative , so poor — consisting in what ? in being left to [herself]_171-anne — which belonged to [her]_171-anne now . And yet , after all , as [she]_171-anne looked into [[her]_171-anne girlhood]_{3538-her girlhood} before [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s coming , [she]_171-anne recognised the same negativeness ; [she]_171-anne had wished to be free , to be [a daily governess]_{4119-a daily governess} , to depend upon [no one]_{3899-no one} for [her]_171-anne livelihood , to be able to know something of a wider life . [She]_171-anne had never hoped , scarcely even wished , for happiness ; the semblance of it had passed before [her]_171-anne eyes , had , for a brief time , made [her]_171-anne life more acutely sensitive ; but [she]_171-anne returned to the negative : it was the law of [her]_171-anne life . And , as [she]_171-anne cleared [her]_171-anne mind of all vain regrets , [she]_171-anne became aware that , in a manner , this return upon [her]_171-anne scene of [Melton Perry]_146-perry was like the ringing of the bell , the orchestral flourish , which ends a piece as it has begun it . The comedy of [her]_171-anne love for [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , and of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s love for [her]_171-anne , was over ; and [she]_171-anne felt impatient for [Melton Perry]_146-perry ’s arrival . THE day after this visit from [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin , came the first visit from [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . It seemed to [Anne]_171-anne that , from the very moment of [her]_171-anne entering [the room]_{574-the room} , [she]_171-anne could perceive something strange in [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s manner — something brazen , flaunting , cruel . [The little woman]_{4885-the little woman} somehow no longer looked so small and that childish appealingness had entirely left [her]_{4885-the little woman} manner ; [she]_{4885-the little woman} was self‐possessed , cynical , triumphant . [Her]_{4885-the little woman} very dress was different from anything in which [Miss Brown]_171-anne had hitherto seen [her]_{4885-the little woman} ; exotic indeed and fantastic , like everything that [she]_{4885-the little woman} wore , but certainly not turned out by [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s maid]_{3543-madame elaguine ’s maid} . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} kissed [Anne]_171-anne familiarly on both cheeks , enveloping [her]_171-anne in an atmosphere of heady Eastern perfumes . “ [Poor Annie]_{260-poor anne} , ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said , “ [you]_{260-poor anne} have been very ill , and must have thought [me]_{360-madame elaguine} [a great brute]_{6593-a great brute} for not coming to see [you]_{260-poor anne} before . But [Walter]_145-hamlin absolutely forbade [my]_{360-madame elaguine} coming — stood in front of [your]_{260-poor anne} door , so to speak , and shut it in [my]_{360-madame elaguine} face . [He]_145-hamlin pretended that [I]_{360-madame elaguine} should have excited [you]_{260-poor anne} too much . Perhaps [I]_{360-madame elaguine} should ; [I]_{360-madame elaguine} am [a wretched , excitable creature]_{6594-a wretched , excitable creature} . Perhaps [he]_145-hamlin was right ; what do [you]_{260-poor anne} think ? ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} fixed [her]_{360-madame elaguine} eyes on those of [Anne]_{260-poor anne} ; a long look of scrutiny and triumph , as if [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had expected to see [her]_{260-poor anne} wince . “ [I]_171-anne think [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin was quite mistaken , ”_[171-anne] answered [Miss Brown]_171-anne quietly , understanding the meaning of that look . “ [I]_171-anne am much less subject to excitement than [he]_145-hamlin supposes ; and [your]_{260-poor anne} presence would not have excited [me]_171-anne more than [any one else]_{1701-any one else} ’s . ”_[171-anne] “ Really ! ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s mouth took a peculiar little sneering turn ; “ [I]_{360-madame elaguine} should have thought that [I]_{360-madame elaguine} was exciting , now . Not more exciting , for instance , than [the Miss Leighs]_{327-the leighs} ? or than [[your]_{260-poor anne} cousin]_{4341-your cousin} , [Mr Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ? ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} again looked scrutinisingly at [Anne]_171-anne , who merely shook [her]_171-anne head . “ By the way , [[your]_{260-poor anne} cousin]_{4341-your cousin} has quite cut [me]_{360-madame elaguine} of late , [Annie]_171-anne — ask [him]_{4341-your cousin} why . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} suspect that [he]_{4341-your cousin} thinks [me]_{360-madame elaguine} [a dangerous woman]_{6598-a dangerous woman} , quite without moral ballast,—what [[my]_{360-madame elaguine} German teacher]_{6599-my german teacher} used to call [Sittlicher Ernst]_{468-sittlicher ernst} . [He]_{4341-your cousin} was such a funny creature that [German teacher of mine]_{6600-german teacher of mine} ; did [I]_{360-madame elaguine} ever tell [you]_171-anne about [him]_{4341-your cousin} ? [He]_{4341-your cousin} taught at [the school where [I]_{360-madame elaguine} was in [Petersburg]_{128-petersburg}]_{6601-the school where i was in petersburg} : [a thin lank creature , with long red wrists projecting a yard from [his]_{4341-your cousin} sleeves , and a waistcoat which would ride up whenever [he]_{4341-your cousin} was excited]_{6602-a thin lank creature , with long red wrists projecting a yard from his sleeves , and a waistcoat which would ride up whenever he was excited} ; [he]_{4341-your cousin} used to lean against the wall , any part of [his]_{4341-your cousin} body at random , and bend and sway the rest of [him]_{4341-your cousin} about , like a caterpillar . [He]_{4341-your cousin} taught [us]_6603-us German literature , and was very shocked because [I]_{360-madame elaguine} said the ‘ Bride of [Corinth]_129-corinth ’ was the only amusing thing [Goethe]_240-goethe had ever written . [He]_{4341-your cousin} believed in [Schopenhauer]_{400-schopenhauer} — and hated [women]_3959-women , and [me]_{360-madame elaguine} in particular , because [I]_{360-madame elaguine} had no [Sittlicher Ernst]_{468-sittlicher ernst} ; and one day , what do [you]_6605-you think [he]_{4341-your cousin} did ? [he]_{4341-your cousin} fell on [his]_{4341-your cousin} knees and tried to catch [me]_{360-madame elaguine} round the waist . [Poor devil]_{4013-poor devil} ! [he]_{4341-your cousin} was turned out of doors , and drowned [himself]_{4341-your cousin} later . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} wonder whether it was out of despair at [my]_{360-madame elaguine} want of [Sittlicher Ernst]_{468-sittlicher ernst} ? [He]_{4341-your cousin} was such [a queer creature]_{6607-a queer creature} . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} sometimes think , after all , [he]_{4341-your cousin} was [the only man [I]_{360-madame elaguine} could really have loved]_{6608-the only man i could really have loved} , if only [his]_{4341-your cousin} waistcoat had not ridden up , and [his]_{4341-your cousin} wrists projected so much from [his]_{4341-your cousin} cuffs . ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [Sacha]_386-sacha laughed , and bit [her]_386-sacha lower lip a little , so that it suddenly became scarlet , like the lips of [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . [She]_386-sacha threw [herself]_386-sacha back in [her]_386-sacha chair , one foot crossed over the other , [her]_386-sacha eyes fixed on the Venetian chandelier , which caught opalescent lights in the sunshine ; [she]_386-sacha was smiling , perhaps in recollection of [the professor]_{5791-the professor} with [his]_{5791-the professor} wrists and [his]_{5791-the professor} waistcoat . [Anne]_171-anne did not know what to say ; the presence of [this woman]_{5573-this woman} seemed to freeze [her]_171-anne , like the contact of some clammy thing : it was as if the soul of [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis had entered [her]_171-anne body and had become more active , more subtle in its new habitation . Mechanically [her]_171-anne eyes rested upon [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s dress , a marvellous vague thing , made in some confused resemblance of [the men]_{4543-the men} ’s dress of Moliére ’s time,—a crimson plush coat and [a big man]_{3547-a big man} ’s cravat of Flanders lace , but all bursting out , by every conceivable slashing and gap , into a mass of lace , which hung about [her]_171-anne like a cloud of thistle‐down , beneath which [her]_171-anne thin and nervous little body seemed to twist and writhe with every word . “ It ’s a pretty frock , is n’t it ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne remarked , looking down upon it with satisfaction . “ Oh no , [I]_171-anne did n’t make this ; [I]_171-anne am bored with always making [my]_171-anne own frocks . It ’s from Worth . [I]_171-anne swore [I]_171-anne would bring round [Watty]_178-watty from belief in pre‐Adamitic skirts and purfled sleeves and eighteen‐penny medievalism to a belief in Worth ; [you]_6609-you know [he]_353-lewis used always to rant at [Paris]_42-paris clothes . Well , [I]_171-anne ’ve been as good as [my]_171-anne word ; this is from Worth , and what ’s more , [Walter]_145-hamlin has paid [my]_171-anne bill . Humiliating , rather , is n’t it ? but then , [you]_6609-you see , [I]_171-anne ’m [a pauper]_{6610-a pauper} , and ca n’t buy Worth frocks on a thousand a‐year , including subscription for a copy of Chough ’s new translation of ‘ Villon , ’ with all the improprieties annotated , Dutch paper , morocco , rough edges , price three guineas , can [I]_171-anne ? ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne flushed . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had paid for [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s dress ! And yet , had [Hamlin]_145-hamlin not paid for not merely one , but all [Anne]_171-anne ’s dresses these years — nay , for everything that [Anne]_171-anne saw about [her]_171-anne — nay , for everything almost that [Anne]_171-anne knew and was ? And still , how was it , there was a difference ? and as [she]_171-anne looked at [Sacha]_386-sacha in [her]_386-sacha fantastic Molière coat of crimson plush and watered white silk and lace , which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had paid for , [she]_171-anne could not get out of [her]_171-anne mind the image of [certain French kept women whom [she]_171-anne had seen , in [their]_{3548-certain french kept women whom she had seen , in their elaborate dresses and well‐appointed victorias , driving in the park} elaborate dresses and well‐appointed victorias , driving in [the Park]_{6544-the park}]_{3548-certain french kept women whom she had seen , in their elaborate dresses and well‐appointed victorias , driving in the park} . It was very unjust and horrible , yet [she]_171-anne could not get it out of [her]_171-anne mind . “ [Walter]_145-hamlin is [a queer creature]_{6607-a queer creature} , ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} went on [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; “ somewhat like [[my]_{360-madame elaguine} German caterpillar professor]_{6612-my german caterpillar professor} : [I]_{360-madame elaguine} do n’t mean in the matter of wrists and waistcoats , but in the matter of [women]_3959-women . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} do n’t know how to say it ; [my]_{360-madame elaguine} ideas are n’t ever very clear : [I]_{360-madame elaguine} suppose it ’s want of [Sittlicher Ernst]_{468-sittlicher ernst} , and also because [I]_{360-madame elaguine} ’m hysterical — at least [the doctors]_{3460-the doctors} say so ; because [I]_{360-madame elaguine} insist on having [my]_{360-madame elaguine} own way . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} mean that [Walter]_145-hamlin , for instance , hates [me]_{360-madame elaguine} in a certain sense just as [that professor]_{6615-that professor} did . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} ’m sure [he]_145-hamlin sometimes feels as if [he]_145-hamlin could throttle [me]_{360-madame elaguine} , because [I]_{360-madame elaguine} have no [Sittlicher Ernst]_{468-sittlicher ernst} , and because [I]_{360-madame elaguine} made love to [him]_145-hamlin , and offered [him]_145-hamlin [barley‐sugar]_{6616-barley‐sugar} and tops when [I]_{360-madame elaguine} was ten . And yet ! Ah , well , [I]_{360-madame elaguine} suppose [I]_{360-madame elaguine} am [a wretch]_{6617-a wretch} ! Oh , [Annie]_171-anne dear , [I]_{360-madame elaguine} fear , [I]_{360-madame elaguine} fear [I]_{360-madame elaguine} am [a wretch]_{6617-a wretch} ! ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} suddenly jumped up from [her]_{360-madame elaguine} chair and flung [her]_{360-madame elaguine} arms round [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s neck and kissed [her]_171-anne , with such violence that [Anne]_171-anne felt [her]_171-anne lips almost like leeches and [her]_171-anne teeth pressing into [her]_171-anne cheeks . “ Oh [Annie]_171-anne , [I]_{360-madame elaguine} am [an unworthy wretch]_{6619-an unworthy wretch} ! [I]_{360-madame elaguine} am a beast towards [you]_171-anne ! ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [she]_{360-madame elaguine} cried . [Anne]_171-anne felt a horror , a kind of fear of death ; and yet [she]_171-anne felt sorry for [this woman]_{5573-this woman} ; was [she]_171-anne not a wretch in not clearing up the position — in letting [this woman]_{5573-this woman} continue to love in shame , when [she]_{5573-this woman} might love openly and honourably ? [She]_171-anne loosened [herself]_171-anne from [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s embrace . “ [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne began , feeling [her]_171-anne face still burning from this strangling embrace , and mechanically smoothing [her]_171-anne ruffled hair , “ [I]_171-anne have long wanted to tell [you]_171-anne something with regard to [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin — indeed [I]_171-anne feel [I]_171-anne ought to have told it [you]_171-anne before , but . . . ”_[171-anne] At this moment the door opened and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin entered . [Anne]_171-anne had missed [her]_171-anne opportunity ; it was impossible to speak before [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , although [she]_171-anne had once or twice contemplated clearing up matters to [him]_145-hamlin and [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} at the same time . But it was impossible now . [Sacha]_386-sacha had something strange , brazen , about [her]_{1267-his cousin} , which froze [Anne]_171-anne ’s soul . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was listless , depressed , with that hang‐dog , stupefied air that [Miss Brown]_171-anne had noticed in [him]_145-hamlin of late . [He]_145-hamlin spoke little , barely answered any of [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s remarks : every time that [he]_145-hamlin raised [his]_145-hamlin eyes upon [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , it was with an expression that amounted almost to disgust ; and [she]_{1267-his cousin} seemed nowise hurt , but rather amused and pleased at this look , and took a pleasure in provoking it by a hundred absurdities , and by a sort of bullying way , as if expressly to show [her]_{1267-his cousin} power over [this sullen creature]_{3554-this sullen creature} . [They]_3555-they did not stay long . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} rose , and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin mechanically followed [her]_{360-madame elaguine} example : was it that [he]_145-hamlin could not see [her]_{1267-his cousin} go away by [herself]_{1267-his cousin} , or that [he]_145-hamlin was afraid of being left alone with [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? “ This is [my]_{360-madame elaguine} first visit to [you]_145-hamlin since [your]_145-hamlin illness , and it will be [my]_{360-madame elaguine} last for a little time , ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , letting [Hamlin]_145-hamlin help [her]_{1267-his cousin} on with [her]_{1267-his cousin} cloak , and spinning out the operation , as if to show that this depressed and sullen creature , for all [his]_145-hamlin sulkiness , was [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} slave]_{3556-her slave} . “ Are [you]_145-hamlin going away ? ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne , a sudden fear entering [her]_171-anne heart . [Sacha]_386-sacha noticed [her]_171-anne involuntary flush , and mistook its meaning . “ Only for a fortnight , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered , with an odd smile . “ Oh no ; [I]_171-anne ca n’t do without [London]_4-london and [[my]_171-anne friends]_{1822-my friends} — hideous [London]_4-london and [disagreeable friends]_{6621-disagreeable friends} , at least so far as [Walter]_145-hamlin is concerned . [I]_171-anne suppose it ’s [my]_171-anne perversity and want of [Sittlicher Ernst]_{468-sittlicher ernst} , again . [I]_171-anne am going to [Paris]_42-paris this evening . [I]_171-anne have a notion of taking [Boris]_469-boris out of [[his]_469-boris English school]_{6622-his english school} and sending [him]_469-boris to [the Lycée]_{130-the lycée} . [I]_171-anne feel [I]_171-anne have had a surfeit of respectability and æstheticism , and that [I]_171-anne ’d rather [[my]_171-anne son]_{6623-my son} were [a Frenchman]_{6624-a frenchman} and [a Bohemian]_{6625-a bohemian} . It ’s a whim . Perhaps it will make [me]_171-anne return [a frantic Anglomaniac]_{6626-a frantic anglomaniac} . Fancy if [Boris]_469-boris were to grow up a thing like this ! ”_[171-anne] pointing to [Hamlin,—“a]_{470-hamlin,—“a} horrible pseudo [Sir Galahad]_{217-sir galahad} , as [Watty]_178-watty was at sixteen . Faugh ! [I]_171-anne could n’t bear it . Good‐bye , [Annie dear]_{6627-annie dear} ; [I]_171-anne fear [you]_{6627-annie dear} must think [me]_171-anne [an immoral woman]_{6628-an immoral woman} , and that [[my]_171-anne German professor]_{6629-my german professor} was n’t so far wrong . Good‐bye , [[my]_171-anne beautiful Madonna of [the Glaciers]_{131-the glaciers}]_{6630-my beautiful madonna of the glaciers} , ”_[171-anne] and again [Miss Brown]_171-anne was half stifled in the cloud of oriental perfumes , as [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} kissed [her]_171-anne cavalierly on both cheeks . “ Come along , [Watty]_178-watty ! ”_[386-sacha] cried [Sacha]_386-sacha ; “ ca n’t [you]_178-watty learn to open the door for [a woman]_{3960-a woman} ? ”_[386-sacha] “ [Good‐bye]_{393-good‐bye} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin gave a little sigh of weariness as [he]_145-hamlin pressed [Anne]_171-anne ’s hand . [Miss Brown]_171-anne remained in a state of vague fear all that day . Was that love — at least on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s part — that look of bored disgust with which [he]_145-hamlin had responded to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s provocation ? [Anne]_171-anne grew pale at the notion of that fortnight of [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s absence . Would [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , fickle , easily wounded in [his]_145-hamlin vanity , sated with [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s Russian ways , remain faithful to [the absent woman]_{3557-the absent woman} ? Would [he]_145-hamlin not rather return and begin afresh that old , old story of Platonic adoration , of self‐reproach , with what [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} called Madonna of [the Glaciers]_{131-the glaciers} ? And as [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was leaving , [he]_145-hamlin had said to [her]_171-anne half audibly , “ If [you]_171-anne will allow [me]_145-hamlin , [I]_145-hamlin will come to‐morrow afternoon and see what can be done to [my]_145-hamlin Vision of [Beatrice]_187-beatrice , if [you]_171-anne will give [me]_145-hamlin a sitting . ”_[145-hamlin] A sitting ! [Anne]_171-anne ’s heart had sunk at the mere word . But the next morning [she]_171-anne found on the tray on which [her]_171-anne breakfast was brought up a twisted note . It was from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , written late the previous night . “ [DEAR MISS BROWN]_{471-dear miss brown} , ”_[145-hamlin] it said,—“I fear [you]_171-anne will think [me]_145-hamlin very uncourteous to break through [our]_6632-our engagement for to‐morrow morning . But [I]_145-hamlin am feeling rather anxious lest [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} should get imposed on about [the school]_{1304-the school} for [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} boy]_{2111-her boy} ; so [I]_145-hamlin shall join [her]_{360-madame elaguine} for a few days in [Paris]_42-paris . Pray forgive [my]_145-hamlin apparent rudeness.—Yours sincerely , [W. H.]_{472-w. h.} ”_[145-hamlin] “ What ’s [your]_171-anne news , [Annie]_171-anne ? ”_{[324-mary leigh]} asked [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , who had come in to see after [[her]_171-anne invalid]_{3559-her invalid} . “ [You]_171-anne look as if [you]_171-anne had come in for a fortune ! ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne made an effort and laughed . “ It was only [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin postponing a sitting which [I]_171-anne was to give [him]_145-hamlin . [I]_171-anne really do n’t feel much like sitting yet . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s gone to [Paris]_42-paris to look after [[a school]_{2459-a school} for [Boris Elaguine]_469-boris]_{6636-a school for boris elaguine} . ”_[171-anne] “ And [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ? ”_{[324-mary leigh]} “ [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} — went yesterday . ”_[171-anne] “ Oh , indeed ! ”_{[324-mary leigh]} answered [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} ; and as [she]_{324-mary leigh} said that , a wave of red came into [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s pale face — why , [Anne]_171-anne could not [herself]_171-anne have explained . THE day after [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s departure to join [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} paid another visit at [Hammersmith]_{32-hammersmith} ; and [he]_{223-richard brown} dropped in frequently in the next few days . [He]_{223-richard brown} never spoke of [his]_{223-richard brown} hopes , [he]_{223-richard brown} never inquired about [Anne]_171-anne ’s plans ; [he]_{223-richard brown} scarcely so much as alluded to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s departure . [He]_{223-richard brown} seemed satisfied to see [[his]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , to explain to [her]_{1267-his cousin} all the things that [he]_{223-richard brown} hoped some day to do . This forbearance , this delicate discretion , on the part of one of [the most tactless and exacting of men]_{3561-the most tactless and exacting of men} ; this something which implied that [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin had learned to consult [her]_{1267-his cousin} wishes , touched [Miss Brown]_171-anne very much . [Love]_155-love , or by whatever other name ( since the name of love was discredited to [Anne]_171-anne ) [she]_171-anne might choose to call [Richard]_{223-richard brown} ’s strong and steady feeling , seemed to have purified this powerful and generous temper of that alloy of coarse and contemptuous suspicion that had occasionally repelled [her]_171-anne so much . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had become comparatively quite charitable in [his]_{223-richard brown} judgments , sincerely anxious to be just . [He]_{223-richard brown} tried to see things a little from [her]_171-anne point of view — nay , even to understand whatever good there was or had been in [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . [This big and self‐reliant man , who had already thought and done so much for [himself]_{223-richard brown} and for [others]_4163-others]_{3562-this big and self‐reliant man , who had already thought and done so much for himself and for others} , began to appear to [[his]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{1267-his cousin} as less mature than [she]_171-anne had fancied , and even less self‐reliant ; new instincts and perceptions , new sides of [his]_379-hamlin nature — making it fuller , richer , purer — developing under [her]_171-anne influence . [Anne]_171-anne did not love [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} ; [she]_171-anne did not even anticipate loving [him]_{1291-her cousin} anything as [she]_171-anne had once loved [Hamlin]_379-hamlin . [She]_171-anne recognised that , in [her]_171-anne nature , love could exist only for an ideal , and in an ideal [she]_171-anne could never again believe ; but [she]_171-anne became aware of a relation of frank comradeship , of mutual respect and attachment and usefulness , which warmed [her]_171-anne nature , and made hopes and projects bud and blossom up . [She]_171-anne was nervously anxious for that fortnight to have come to an end , to have [Hamlin]_379-hamlin back , to speak to [him]_379-hamlin ; and yet , at the same time , it seemed to [her]_171-anne dreadful that these few days of freedom from care , freedom from the shadow which had so long hung over [her]_171-anne , should so soon come to an end . The fortnight was drawing to a close ; [Hamlin]_379-hamlin would soon be back . [Anne]_171-anne began to be filled with unendurable impatience ; [she]_171-anne even , once or twice , began a letter telling [him]_{1291-her cousin} everything , and tore it up only from the fear that it might seem harsh , ungrateful , that it might ( and the idea was terrible to [her]_171-anne ) make [him]_{1291-her cousin} suppose that [she]_171-anne was jealous , that [she]_171-anne loved [him]_{1291-her cousin} . It was a great relief to [her]_171-anne when there suddenly came a telegram , sent on from [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s lodgings]_{3566-hamlin ’s lodgings} , and opened by [[his]_{1291-her cousin} servant]_{3567-his servant} , which announced for next evening the arrival of [Melton Perry]_146-perry , who knew nothing of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s momentary absence from [town]_821-town . “ Oh , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne , “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry is coming to‐morrow evening ! Do [you]_{247-aunt claudia} think — oh , do [you]_{247-aunt claudia} think [you]_{247-aunt claudia} could have [him]_152-perry to stay [here]_3884-here till [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin return ? ”_[171-anne] “ Who is [Mr Perry]_152-perry ? ”_[379-hamlin] asked [Chough]_379-hamlin , who was dining with [them]_3569-them , suddenly pricking up [his]_379-hamlin ears at [Anne]_171-anne ’s excited tone . Could [he]_{1291-her cousin} be the explanation of [Anne]_171-anne ’s indifference to [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ? thought [the poet of the Eternal Feminine]_{3570-the poet of the eternal feminine} . “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , “ is [the gentleman in whose house [I]_171-anne was [a servant]_{4125-a servant} until [I]_171-anne met [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin]_{6638-the gentleman in whose house i was a servant until i met mr hamlin} — [the father of [the little girls whose maid [I]_171-anne was]_{6641-the little girls whose maid i was} . [He]_145-hamlin was very kind to [me]_171-anne , and [I]_171-anne am very fond of [him]_145-hamlin . ”_[171-anne] [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough]_{6640-the father of the little girls whose maid i was . he was very kind to me , and i am very fond of him . ” cosmo chough} stared at [her]_171-anne in amazement . [He]_3571-he had quite forgotten , indeed [he]_3571-he had never properly realised , that [this queenly woman]_{3572-this queenly woman} , this more than [Dante]_180-dante ’s Beatrice or [[Petrarch]_425-petrarch ’s [Laura]_190-laura]_{3573-petrarch ’s laura} , had actually been [a nursemaid]_{616-a nursemaid} — [a servant]_{4125-a servant} ! [She]_{3572-this queenly woman} [a servant]_{4125-a servant} ! [he]_3571-he repeated to [himself]_3571-he , looking at [Miss Brown]_171-anne as [she]_171-anne sat opposite [him]_3571-he ; at this goddess , it seemed to [him]_3571-he , with the wonderful face as of [one of [[Michelangelo]_{328-michelangelo} ’s Titanesses]_{3578-michelangelo ’s titanesses}]_{3577-one of michelangelo ’s titanesses} ; the solemn , mysterious , onyx‐grey eyes ; the something superhumanly grand in person and movement . To have been [a servant]_{4125-a servant} , and to remind [people]_577-people of it , was [his]_3571-he next thought ; and this [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , conscious of [[his]_3571-he supposed father]_{3581-his supposed father} [the duke]_{3256-the duke} , and of [[his]_3571-he real father]_{3583-his real father} [the apothecary at [Limerick]_113-limerick]_{3584-the apothecary at limerick} , was absolutely unable to comprehend . “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry , except [Miss Curzon]_{175-miss curzon} , was the only friend [I]_171-anne ever had , until — until [I]_171-anne met [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] went on [Miss Brown]_171-anne . “ [You]_171-anne will give [him]_152-perry [the spare room]_{2786-the spare room} , [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} , for [my]_171-anne sake , wo n’t [you]_171-anne ? And [you]_171-anne will let [me]_171-anne arrange it for [him]_152-perry , and make it look a little untidy , and put match‐boxes and pipe‐lights about , so that [he]_152-perry may feel a little comfortable . ”_[171-anne] [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} laughed . “ Put as many pipe‐lights about as [you]_171-anne please , [[my]_{243-mrs macgregor} dear]_{4237-my dear} ; but if [he]_152-perry fill [[Watty]_178-watty ’s studio]_{6644-watty ’s studio} with pipe‐smoke , [you]_171-anne will be responsible , not [I.]_{243-mrs macgregor} ”_{[243-mrs macgregor]} The next afternoon [Anne Brown]_171-anne was just in the midst of what [she]_171-anne called making [the spare room]_{2786-the spare room} look untidy , taking out the superfluous æsthetic furniture which would , [she]_171-anne knew , fidget [[her]_171-anne former master]_{3586-her former master} to death , dragging in leather arm‐chairs instead of imitation Queen Anne things , and piling newspapers and novels on the table , when [a visitor]_{3587-a visitor} was announced . [She]_171-anne went down into [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} , and , to [her]_171-anne surprise , found [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . An inexpressible sense of disgust came over [her]_171-anne , [This man]_{1239-this man} personified all that [she]_171-anne hated most of that past with which [she]_171-anne was about to break for ever . [The little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} was considerably less free‐and‐easy and sultan‐like than usual ; [his]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} humiliation , whatever it was , had evidently done [him]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} good . Indeed , [Miss Brown]_171-anne was almost beginning to ask [herself]_171-anne whether [she]_171-anne might not have been a little unjust towards [him]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} also , so respectful and amiable had [he]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} made [himself]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} , when it began to dawn upon [her]_171-anne that there was an explanation for [his]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} visit much more in keeping with the character [she]_171-anne had hitherto attributed to [him]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} . “ [I]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} hear that [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin is in [Paris]_42-paris with [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , ”_{[3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips]} [he]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} had remarked , after a few minutes ’ conversation . [He]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} had tried to say it in an off‐hand manner ; but [Anne]_171-anne had felt [his]_{3590-the little man with the auburn beard and sealing‐wax lips} green eyes fixed curiously upon [her]_171-anne . “ Yes ; [they]_6646-they have gone to settle about sending [Boris]_469-boris to [the Lycée]_{130-the lycée} . ”_[353-lewis] [Lewis]_353-lewis hereupon made some remarks about English and [French schools]_{3591-french schools} , and upon the education of [Boris Elaguine]_469-boris ; but slowly and dexterously [he]_353-lewis made the conversation return to [Sacha]_386-sacha and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; [he]_353-lewis made the conspicuous matter no longer the object of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s journey to [Paris]_42-paris , but the journey itself . “ [I]_353-lewis do n’t think [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s Russian relations]_{6647-madame elaguine ’s russian relations} — [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} aunt who lives in [Paris]_42-paris and [Boris]_469-boris ’s grandfather]_{6648-her aunt who lives in paris and boris ’s grandfather} — will be particularly pleased at [her]_{360-madame elaguine} going about like that with [a young man]_{6649-a young man} , ”_[353-lewis] [he]_353-lewis said . “ [Russians]_{6650-russians} are [such corrupt people]_{6651-such corrupt people} , [they]_{6650-russians} see mischief in everything . ”_[353-lewis] [Anne]_171-anne understood . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , who always hated [her]_171-anne , had been unable to resist the temptation , now that both [Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [Sacha]_386-sacha were safe out of the way , of seeing [the proud Miss Brown]_171-anne wince beneath [his]_353-lewis compassion . [He]_353-lewis was artistically playing upon the feelings of humiliation and anger with which [he]_353-lewis imagined [her]_171-anne to be filled . “ [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} , [you]_353-lewis must remember , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , quietly bending over [her]_171-anne embroidery . “ True ; but [the people who meet [them]_{6650-russians} in [Paris]_42-paris]_{6653-the people who meet them in paris} wo n’t know that , or wo n’t believe it . Besides , it ’s not as if [they]_{6650-russians} had always lived together and been as [brother]_6654-brother and [sister]_4762-sister , as [some cousins]_{6656-some cousins} have . [I]_353-lewis think [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is very rash to run the risk of unnecessary gossip ; and [I]_353-lewis must say [I]_353-lewis ca n’t understand [Hamlin]_145-hamlin being so dense as not to see that [he]_145-hamlin was compromising [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} , especially as [people]_577-people were beginning to notice [his]_145-hamlin assiduity to [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} even here . Of course , however , ”_[353-lewis] added [Lewis]_353-lewis , fixing [his]_353-lewis eyes on [Miss Brown]_171-anne , “ being engaged , to [you]_171-anne makes a difference to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [A man who is engaged to be married]_{6660-a man who is engaged to be married} may , [I]_353-lewis suppose , go about with [any woman]_{1339-any woman} — it is as if [he]_{6660-a man who is engaged to be married} were married . [I]_353-lewis am very sorry [I]_353-lewis shall be far away , somewhere in [Central Asia]_{132-central asia} or [South America]_{133-south america} — [I]_353-lewis do n’t know where — when [your]_171-anne marriage will come off , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [I]_353-lewis must make [my]_353-lewis congratulations betimes . ”_[353-lewis] “ There is nothing to congratulate about , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , quietly ; “ there has been no question of [my]_171-anne marrying [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [I]_171-anne am sorry such an idea should have got abroad . [I]_171-anne was , [you]_171-anne know , [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s ward]_{6662-mr hamlin ’s ward} till lately , and [I]_171-anne am now taking advantage of [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} ’s kindness to stay [here]_3884-here till — till [I]_171-anne settle what [I]_171-anne am going to do ; [I]_171-anne may be going to [Girton]_58-girton — [I]_171-anne do n’t know . ”_[171-anne] “ Oh , indeed ! ”_[353-lewis] exclaimed [Lewis]_353-lewis ; “ pray forgive [my]_353-lewis unintentional impertinence then . [Girton]_58-girton ? Ah — How long do [you]_171-anne intend remaining [there]_4426-there ? ”_[353-lewis] “ [I]_171-anne do n’t know . Nothing is settled yet . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne was determined not to let [this man]_{1239-this man} enjoy [his]_{1239-this man} impertinence and spitefulness : [he]_{1239-this man} should go away baffled . “ [I]_353-lewis may stay [there]_4426-there altogether . [I]_353-lewis should rather like to be [a teacher]_{4134-a teacher} . ”_[353-lewis] “ And [I]_353-lewis , ”_[353-lewis] said [Lewis]_353-lewis , with one of [his]_353-lewis would‐be fascinating smiles , “ would , in that case , like to be [a pupil]_{6668-a pupil} , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . ”_[353-lewis] [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . [He]_353-lewis must be disappointed , [she]_171-anne thought . But [he]_353-lewis was determined to get some satisfaction out of [her]_171-anne . “ [I]_353-lewis ca n’t get over [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s thoughtlessness in accompanying [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} to [Paris]_42-paris , ”_[353-lewis] [he]_353-lewis said . “ It would have been so simple to ask [some lady]_{6669-some lady} to be of [the party]_{1060-the party} . [I]_353-lewis suppose [you]_171-anne did not like leaving [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ? [I]_353-lewis was sorry to hear that [she]_{243-mrs macgregor} was ailing . ”_[353-lewis] “ There was no question of [my]_171-anne going , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne ; “ and [I]_171-anne do think it is such silly nonsense about [any one]_{4101-any one} being required . If [people]_577-people choose to think that [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin is going to marry [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} — well , why not ? It would be a very natural thing if [he]_145-hamlin did . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne looked [Lewis]_353-lewis boldly in the face . It was the first time that [she]_171-anne had said the thing which [she]_171-anne believed , hoped for , prayed for . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis was evidently staggered ; and [Anne]_171-anne enjoyed watching [his]_353-lewis discomfiture . But a thought soon came into [his]_353-lewis subtle head . “ [I]_353-lewis suppose [you]_171-anne see a good deal of [Mr Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ? ”_[353-lewis] [he]_353-lewis asked ; “ [he]_{223-richard brown} ’s [an extraordinarily clever man]_{6674-an extraordinarily clever man} . ”_[353-lewis] “ Yes ; [he]_{223-richard brown} is very able . [I]_353-lewis see [him]_{223-richard brown} often enough . At present [his]_{223-richard brown} electioneering business does n’t leave [him]_{223-richard brown} much time . ”_[353-lewis] “ Ah , to be sure . It costs a lot of money , does n’t it , to get into [Parliament]_{122-parliament} ? But [I]_353-lewis suppose [Mr Brown]_{223-richard brown} is rich now , is [he]_{223-richard brown} not ? ”_[353-lewis] “ [He]_{223-richard brown} is well off . ”_[353-lewis] “ And [he]_{223-richard brown} is sure to succeed . [He]_{223-richard brown} has a fine career before [him]_{223-richard brown} , ”_[353-lewis] mused [Lewis]_353-lewis . [He]_353-lewis had , as [he]_353-lewis thought , grasped the situation : there had been an amicable exchange — [Anne]_171-anne was to marry [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , and [Sacha]_386-sacha was to have [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [All [his]_353-lewis enemies]_{3593-all his enemies} — for [Sacha]_386-sacha and [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had evidently sent [him]_353-lewis to the right - about — were going to be happily settled . [His]_353-lewis paste‐coloured face grew pastier than ever ; [he]_353-lewis bit [his]_353-lewis scarlet lips and auburn moustache ; [he]_353-lewis looked horribly angry and malignant ; wickeder than even [Anne]_171-anne , who had always hated [him]_353-lewis , would have believed it possible . But [he]_353-lewis kept [his]_353-lewis temper — nay , [he]_353-lewis was quite unusually deferential and sweet . [He]_353-lewis led the conversation to other topics ; and [Anne]_171-anne thought that [his]_353-lewis only object was now to talk no more about the affairs which [he]_353-lewis had so misjudged , when , [she]_171-anne scarcely knew how , [he]_353-lewis began to talk about [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} — first about the scenery , then about [the grounds]_{3594-the grounds} , then [the house]_{509-the house} , then [their]_3596-their stay there , and finally about the incident of the burning bed . [He]_353-lewis went over all the circumstances of it ; [he]_353-lewis summed up all that [he]_353-lewis and [Anne]_171-anne knew of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s persecution ; and then , as if discussing a curious psychological problem , [he]_353-lewis asked [her]_171-anne whether it had ever occurred to [her]_171-anne that there was any possibility that the persecution should be a fraud , and that the bed had been set fire to by [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} . “ [I]_353-lewis do n’t know whether [you]_171-anne remarked at the time , that the flames burst out just two minutes after [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had fetched the cigarette‐papers out of [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} room]_{1374-her room} , and that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had given orders to [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} maid]_{694-her maid} not to come until [she]_{360-madame elaguine} should be rung for , ”_[353-lewis] said [Lewis]_353-lewis ; “ also , that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} seemed extremely unwilling that any inquiry should be made into the matter afterwards . ”_[353-lewis] [Anne]_171-anne said nothing ; the recollection of the precious lace‐trimmed dressing‐gown , placed carefully out of the way of the flames , and of that sentence , “ And [they]_6677-they never forgot , so long as [they]_6677-they lived , that terrible burning bed , ”_{[414-little hélène elaguine]} which had caught [her]_171-anne eye in little [Hélène Elaguine]_{414-little hélène elaguine} ’s story‐book , came into [her]_171-anne mind . [She]_171-anne had put that matter of the persecution behind [her]_171-anne of late , and yet in [her]_171-anne heart [she]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne believed it to be a fraud . “ [I]_171-anne have had [my]_171-anne doubts about it , ”_[171-anne] bending over [her]_171-anne work lest [Lewis]_353-lewis should see [her]_171-anne face . “ Indeed , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne added boldly , indignant at [her]_171-anne own want of frankness , “ [I]_171-anne am inclined to believe that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} did set that bed on fire . Several things have made [me]_171-anne think so . ”_[171-anne] [Lewis]_353-lewis smiled . “ [I]_171-anne am glad to find that [you]_171-anne take [my]_171-anne view of the case , [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [The chemist at [Appledore]_{134-appledore}]_{6678-the chemist at appledore} — where , if [you]_171-anne remember , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} went for some shopping the day before the fire — showed [me]_171-anne [himself]_{6678-the chemist at appledore} the bottle of acid from which [he]_{6678-the chemist at appledore} had helped [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} — [I]_171-anne forget the name of the stuff — [she]_{360-madame elaguine} said [she]_{360-madame elaguine} wanted some to take spots out of a dress . ”_[171-anne] “ Indeed , ”_[353-lewis] went on [Lewis]_353-lewis , “ [I]_353-lewis think that [we]_6679-we have in [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} a very curious instance of a sort of monomania which has , [I]_353-lewis believe , its scientific name,”—and_[353-lewis] [Lewis]_353-lewis began to retail a variety of instances , culled out of some volume of ‘ Causes célèbres , ’ of [persons who had elaborately made up persecutions of which [themselves]_{3597-persons who had elaborately made up persecutions of which themselves were victims} were [victims]_5324-victims]_{3597-persons who had elaborately made up persecutions of which themselves were victims} . [He]_353-lewis had always been fond of talking as if [he]_353-lewis knew a great deal about morbid conditions of the brain , and , indeed , morbid things of all sorts ; and [he]_353-lewis talked for some time as if [he]_353-lewis took a purely abstract interest in the case . “ [One]_620-one is apt to meet very singular types among [Russian women]_{6681-russian women} , especially such as have led a wandering life like [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , ”_[353-lewis] went on [Lewis]_353-lewis . “ [They]_{6681-russian women} are devoured by a passion for the forbidden , or at least for the unreal and theatrical ; there is something strangely crooked in [their]_{6681-russian women} moral vision , something discordant in [their]_{6681-russian women} nature . [They]_{6681-russian women} are [extraordinary , charming , intelligent , depraved creatures]_{6682-extraordinary , charming , intelligent , depraved creatures} . Only [a Russian woman]_{6683-a russian woman} could be at once so childish and so theatrical and insincere , so full of idealism and of cynicism , as [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . Ah , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is [a wonderful being]_{6684-a wonderful being} ! That matter of the burning bed finishes [her]_{360-madame elaguine} off perfectly . ”_[353-lewis] [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis fixed [his]_353-lewis green magnetic eyes on [Anne]_171-anne . [He]_353-lewis still believed that [she]_171-anne must hate [Sacha]_386-sacha , as it was clear that , for some reason or other , [he]_353-lewis hated [the Russian]_{413-the russian} ; and [he]_353-lewis wished , by giving [Miss Brown]_171-anne these notions about [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , to induce [her]_171-anne to revenge [herself]_171-anne and [him]_353-lewis . But [Anne]_171-anne had become quite dense to [his]_353-lewis intentions . [She]_171-anne did not connect these ideas with [Lewis]_353-lewis ; [his]_353-lewis words seemed to [her]_171-anne now the mere expression of all the things which [her]_171-anne own instinct had revealed , and which [she]_171-anne had put behind [her]_171-anne in [her]_171-anne desire that [Sacha]_386-sacha should relieve [her]_171-anne of the intolerable debt to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . The creature described by [this odious man]_{3599-this odious man} was [the real Sacha]_{3600-the real sacha} ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} as [she]_{360-madame elaguine} now clearly appeared to [Miss Brown]_171-anne . And yet how unjust ! [Lewis]_353-lewis had wanted to torment [her]_171-anne by making [her]_171-anne jealous of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; [he]_353-lewis now wished to pay off [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} for having , in some manner , slighted [his]_353-lewis own vanity . “ [I]_171-anne think [you]_{3599-this odious man} take a dreadful view of the matter , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said ; “ [you]_{3599-this odious man} explain [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , who is [only half a Russian]_{6685-only half a russian} , by all the horrible Russians [you]_{3599-this odious man} have ever met or imagined . [I]_171-anne think there is a much simpler explanation . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} has been very strangely brought up ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} has lived with [very bad people]_{6686-very bad people} ; [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} husband]_{693-her husband} was [a horrible wretch]_{6688-a horrible wretch} , [we]_6689-we all know . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} is excessively hysterical — [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} mother]_{1278-her mother} , [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s aunt]_{4490-mr hamlin ’s aunt} , was so also — and [we]_6689-we all know that the desire to be prominent , to deceive , is a common form of hysteria . And as [she]_{360-madame elaguine} has never been brought up to restrain [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} imagines [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} to be persecuted , and makes up the persecution . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} is much more to be pitied than to be blamed . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne spoke rapidly . [She]_171-anne seemed to be speaking fairly ; and yet [she]_171-anne knew [she]_171-anne was wilfully misrepresenting , that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} was something more than [a hysterical monomaniac]_{3601-a hysterical monomaniac} : [she]_171-anne remembered [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s stories of [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s degraded childhood , all the accusations of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} precocious lying and unchasteness , of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} having led [one of [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} cousins]_{6500-her cousins}]_{3602-one of her cousins} into mischief , and set [the house]_{509-the house} by the ears . [She]_171-anne was indignant with [herself]_171-anne for defending [this woman]_{5573-this woman} — out of charity ? out of conviction ? No . But merely because [she]_171-anne required that [this woman]_{5573-this woman} be sufficiently innocent to become [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis stroked [his]_353-lewis auburn beard meditatively . “ [I]_353-lewis do n’t believe in praise and blame , ”_[353-lewis] [he]_353-lewis answered ; “ [I]_353-lewis believe merely in fate . [Some people]_{5310-some people} are born noble , truthful , chaste — others just the reverse . It is the fault of neither ; and each , in its way , is equally interesting and valuable to [the artist]_{2957-the artist} or [the psychologist]_{6694-the psychologist} . The curious thing about [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is , that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} apparently stands half‐way ; [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is , according to the ideas of [the world]_{496-the world} , half responsible and half irresponsible . [We]_6696-we see in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} [a hysterical woman]_{6697-a hysterical woman} , troubled by a morbid love of deceit ; and at the same time [a woman to whom such deceit is or has been practically necessary]_{6698-a woman to whom such deceit is or has been practically necessary} . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} continues for [her]_{360-madame elaguine} amusement , and develops to the utmost , an imaginary persecution , whose origin must be sought in some intrigue which it was [her]_{360-madame elaguine} interest to veil by a mystification , ”_[353-lewis] [Lewis]_353-lewis drawled on in [his]_353-lewis omniscient , half‐pedantic way , as if the intrigues of [married women]_{6414-married women} were the most usual subject of conversation between [a man]_{503-a man} and [a young lady]_{3610-a young lady} , and as if to suggest that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had led a loose life were the most obvious and inoffensive of proceedings . [Miss Brown]_171-anne blushed crimson ; but [she]_171-anne felt something more than insulted , something more than indignant . What right had [this man]_{1239-this man} to focus all [her]_171-anne own suspicions concerning [a woman whom [she]_171-anne fervently wished not to suspect]_{3612-a woman whom she fervently wished not to suspect} ? “ [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , “ [I]_171-anne do n’t think those things should be listened to by [me]_171-anne or said by [you]_{364-mr lewis} . [I]_171-anne believe that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} is not sound in [her]_{360-madame elaguine} mind , and that [her]_{360-madame elaguine} persecution is a hoax ; but [I]_171-anne believe that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is [an honest woman]_{6699-an honest woman} in other respects . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} is [a friend of [mine]_171-anne]_{6700-a friend of mine} , and [I]_171-anne will not hear [her]_{360-madame elaguine} slandered . ”_[171-anne] “ Heaven forbid that [I]_353-lewis should wish to slander [her]_{360-madame elaguine} ! [I]_353-lewis think [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is [a fascinating woman]_{6701-a fascinating woman} ; and [she]_{360-madame elaguine} is — at least [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was — quite as great [a friend of [mine]_353-lewis as of [yours]_6703-you]_{6702-a friend of mine as of yours} . [I]_353-lewis was only telling [you]_6703-you how [I]_353-lewis explain [her]_{360-madame elaguine} character . ”_[353-lewis] [Lewis]_353-lewis had always appeared a reptile in [Anne]_171-anne ’s eyes ; but never so much as just now . “ [I]_353-lewis hate scandal , ”_[353-lewis] [he]_353-lewis said , taking [his]_353-lewis hat , “ and [I]_353-lewis am most grieved to have appeared to be talking scandal . [People]_577-people always misunderstand the sort of passionate interest [I]_353-lewis take in every kind of curious character . [I]_353-lewis suppose [you]_6703-you would call it morbid , [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; but [I]_353-lewis really was considering [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} merely as an interesting study . ”_[353-lewis] All this kind of talk , of which [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was so fond , perfectly sickened [Anne]_171-anne ; and the sudden stirring up of all [her]_171-anne old suspicions was exasperating . “ That is all very fine , ”_[3613-she] [she]_3613-she said angrily ; “ but do [you]_145-hamlin , or do [you]_145-hamlin not , believe [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} to be [a dishonourable woman]_{6705-a dishonourable woman} , apart from [this monomania]_{6706-this monomania} ? ”_[3613-she] “ It is very hard to say . [You]_6703-you know [I]_171-anne disbelieve in what [you]_6703-you call moral responsibilities . [I]_171-anne imagine [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} to have found [her]_{360-madame elaguine} mania for persecution very convenient at one period of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} life — yes , certainly . [I]_171-anne think it is the only rational way to account for the beginning of it — don’t [you]_6703-you ? ”_[171-anne] [Miss Brown]_171-anne took no notice of [Lewis]_353-lewis ’s insolent inquisitiveness of manner . “ If [you]_6703-you think that , [Mr Lewis]_{364-mr lewis} , ”_[3613-she] [she]_3613-she said , “ may [I]_3613-she ask how [you]_6703-you reconciled with [your]_6703-you notions of gentlemanly behaviour the calm way in which [you]_6703-you let [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin introduce [such a woman as [you]_6703-you describe to [me]_3613-she]_{6707-such a woman as you describe to me} , and let [me]_3613-she continue to know [her]_{6707-such a woman as you describe to me} ? No ; [you]_6703-you are perfectly aware that all this is merely trumped up at the moment . ”_[3613-she] And [she]_3613-she put [her]_3613-she hand on the bell‐handle , for the door to be opened to [Lewis]_353-lewis . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis smiled . “ [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s eyes are quite as good as [mine]_353-lewis . As regards [my]_171-anne behaviour towards [you]_6703-you , [I]_171-anne can not go into details , but [you]_6703-you may understand , [dear Miss Brown]_171-anne , that two or three months ago [I]_171-anne may not , as [a man of honour]_{6708-a man of honour} , have been at liberty to discuss [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s character in the way that [I]_171-anne have done now that [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s relations with [me]_171-anne have entirely changed [their]_6709-their nature . [Good‐bye]_{393-good‐bye} , dear [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [I]_171-anne am most truly grieved if [I]_171-anne have offended [you]_171-anne in any way . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne merely made an impatient gesture , a gesture almost of disgust , as [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis left [the room]_{574-the room} . So this was the explanation of [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis ’s apparent disgrace ! [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha had repelled [his]_353-lewis odious advances , [she]_386-sacha had closed [her]_386-sacha door to [him]_353-lewis , [she]_386-sacha had complained to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; and now , as soon as [their]_3615-their backs were turned , [Lewis]_353-lewis had come to slander [them]_3615-their without fear of a horsewhipping . [Anne]_171-anne seemed to breathe once more — thank heaven that [the wretch]_{3616-the wretch} had overreached [himself]_{3616-the wretch} in [his]_{3616-the wretch} malice ! THE door had scarcely closed upon [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , when it opened again suddenly . “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry ! ”_[171-anne] cried [Anne]_171-anne , rising and running forward as [a child]_{623-a child} might run to meet [a former kind and encouraging teacher]_{3618-a former kind and encouraging teacher} ; “ [Mr Perry]_152-perry ! oh [I]_171-anne am so glad to see [you]_152-perry ! ”_[171-anne] It really seemed to [her]_171-anne that [this dear , good , open familiar face]_{3619-this dear , good , open familiar face} , with the untidy yellow hair and beard,—that [this well‐known , boyish , slouching figure]_{3620-this well‐known , boyish , slouching figure} drove away like some cabalistic sign [the loathsome creature who had been there a few minutes]_{3621-the loathsome creature who had been there a few minutes} before,—that [Melton Perry]_152-perry dispelled all the horrid vision left behind by [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis . “ Did n’t expect [me]_152-perry yet , eh , [Annie]_171-anne — [I]_152-perry mean [Miss Brown]_171-anne ? ”_[152-perry] said [Melton Perry]_152-perry , as [she]_171-anne seized [his]_152-perry hand in both [hers]_171-anne . “ [I]_171-anne suppose [you]_152-perry expected [me]_171-anne by [the Dover train]_{6710-the dover train} . But [I]_171-anne came by [Dieppe]_135-dieppe , six hours ’ agony , but a saving of twelve‐and‐sixpence . [I]_171-anne was always [an economical creature]_{6711-an economical creature} , was n’t [I]_171-anne ? Why , what ’s that [you]_152-perry have round [your]_152-perry neck ? That beastly little pewter and horn rosary that [I]_171-anne got [you]_152-perry at [the Fair of [the Impruneta]_{136-the impruneta}]_{6712-the fair of the impruneta} , by [George]_473-george ! Fancy [your]_152-perry having kept such a thing ! ”_[171-anne] “ It ’s one of the best things [I]_171-anne have , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne , the tears coming into [her]_171-anne eyes as this well‐known voice brought back the far‐distant past—“it ’s the present of [a friend]_{4706-a friend} . ”_[171-anne] “ And all this , is n’t this also the present of [a friend]_{4706-a friend} ? ”_[152-perry] said [Perry]_152-perry , throwing [himself]_152-perry into an arm‐chair , and looking round [the room]_{574-the room} with much the same wonder with which [Anne]_171-anne had looked at [its]_{574-the room} strange furniture , [its]_{574-the room} brocades and embroideries , and Japanese vases and lustre plates , when [she]_171-anne first came ; “ but [I]_171-anne forgot , [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin is n’t [a particular friend of [yours]_171-anne]_{6715-a particular friend of yours} . ”_[171-anne] To this jest [Miss Brown]_171-anne made no answer : if only [Melton Perry]_152-perry could guess at the literal truth of [his]_152-perry words ! “ Lord , what [a damned gorgeous place this is]_{6716-a damned gorgeous place this is} ! ”_[152-perry] cried [Perry]_152-perry , still looking round ; and then , suddenly turning towards [Anne]_171-anne , where [she]_171-anne sat , in a wonderful trailing dress of deep crimson stamped velvet , a big bunch of blackish crimson roses marking off , throwing into relief , the strange opaque ivory of [her]_171-anne face , “ what [a beautiful woman]_{1798-a beautiful woman} [you]_171-anne are , [Annie]_171-anne ! Do [you]_171-anne know , [I]_171-anne usen’t to believe it , when [Watty]_178-watty raved about [you]_171-anne at [the Villa Arnolfini]_{2-the villa arnolfini} . What [a crusty old jackass]_{6718-a crusty old jackass} [I]_171-anne must have been ! But tell , why in [the wide world]_{2450-the wide world} are n’t [you]_171-anne married yet ? What have [you]_171-anne been doing all this time ? ”_[171-anne] “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has not asked [me]_171-anne to marry [him]_145-hamlin yet , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , laconically . [Melton Perry]_152-perry thrust [his]_152-perry hands upon the arms of [his]_152-perry chair , and [his]_152-perry whole body forward . “ Not asked [you]_171-anne to marry [him]_145-hamlin yet ! ”_[152-perry] [he]_152-perry repeated ; “ do [you]_171-anne mean to say [you]_171-anne are n’t engaged to [him]_145-hamlin . . . ? ”_[152-perry] [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head . “ That [he]_145-hamlin ’s been going loafing , and spooning , and doing [Vita Nuova]_{214-vita nuova} all this time ? [I]_171-anne thought that [he]_145-hamlin must have lost [two dozen grandfathers]_{6720-two dozen grandfathers} and [grandmothers]_{6721-grandmothers} in rapid succession , so that one mourning postponed [your]_171-anne marriage after the other , or something similar . ”_[171-anne] Then a thought suddenly struck [him]_152-perry . “ [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s not ill ? ”_[152-perry] [he]_152-perry cried . “ Consumption , madness , [doctors]_6722-doctors ’ consultations,—anything of that sort ? ”_[152-perry] [Miss Brown]_171-anne could not help smiling . “ Oh no , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin has been quite well . [He]_145-hamlin is in [Paris]_42-paris at present ; [he]_145-hamlin did n’t expect [you]_171-anne quite so soon , but [he]_145-hamlin will be back in a day or two . ”_[171-anne] [Melton Perry]_152-perry rose and looked [Anne]_171-anne very earnestly in the face — “ [Miss Brown]_171-anne — no , [I]_152-perry ca n’t call [you]_171-anne [Miss Brown]_171-anne — [Annie]_171-anne , tell [me]_152-perry the truth . Has [Hamlin]_145-hamlin not kept [his]_145-hamlin word — has [he]_145-hamlin played [you]_171-anne any dirty trick ? No , no , [I]_152-perry do n’t mean anything,—but , has [Hamlin]_145-hamlin played fast and loose with [you]_171-anne ? ”_[152-perry] “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin never intended asking [me]_171-anne to marry [him]_145-hamlin at once , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , evasively . [She]_171-anne felt in [Melton Perry]_152-perry ’s suspicions that again , as with [[her]_171-anne cousin]_{1291-her cousin} , [Hamlin]_145-hamlin would be attacked , maligned , that [she]_171-anne would have to defend [him]_145-hamlin . “ Do n’t [you]_152-perry remember , [Mr Perry]_152-perry ? [We]_6723-we were to wait , to see whether [we]_6723-we really . . . [I]_171-anne will tell [you]_152-perry all about it later — to‐morrow . It is a long story ; [I]_171-anne want to hear about [you]_152-perry now , about [Italy]_1-italy — about [your]_152-perry work , [the children]_{3862-the children} , [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . ”_[171-anne] “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne added , fearing lest [her]_171-anne evasive answers , [her]_171-anne haste to get rid of the subject , should prejudice [Perry]_146-perry against [[his]_145-hamlin friend]_{696-his friend} , “ has been most generous and noble towards [me]_171-anne ; indeed much more than [I]_171-anne can ever say . ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_146-perry ’m damned if [I]_146-perry understand any of it , ”_[146-perry] said [Perry]_146-perry to [himself]_146-perry , as [he]_145-hamlin proceeded to answer [Anne]_171-anne ’s rapid strings of questions about [[his]_145-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} , [[his]_145-hamlin little girls]_{5333-his little girls} , [his]_145-hamlin pictures , [his]_145-hamlin etchings,—those etchings , never thought of before , which had revealed in [this sixth‐rate painter]_{3627-this sixth‐rate painter} [a great artist]_{5804-a great artist} , and had brought [him]_145-hamlin , in good case to make money , to [England]_37-england . [Miss Brown]_171-anne insisted upon showing [him]_145-hamlin up to [[his]_145-hamlin room]_{3629-his room} [herself]_171-anne . As [she]_171-anne was leaving [him]_145-hamlin , [he]_145-hamlin looked at [her]_171-anne long and seriously . “ [Annie]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ if it ’s not rude to ask , for [I]_145-hamlin ’ve forgotten — how old are [you]_171-anne ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_145-hamlin was twenty‐four last month . Why do [you]_145-hamlin ask ? Do [you]_145-hamlin think [I]_145-hamlin look more?”—she_[145-hamlin] added , with a smile whose bitterness [he]_145-hamlin did not catch . [She]_171-anne could scarcely realise it [herself]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne seemed to have lived so long , such years and years since [she]_171-anne had seen [him]_145-hamlin last — nay , since [she]_171-anne had first entered [this room]_{6017-this room} . “ Twenty‐four , ”_[146-perry] repeated [Perry]_146-perry , stupidly . “ Well now , do n’t be offended — of course [you]_171-anne could n’t be more , for [you]_171-anne were n’t of age when [you]_171-anne left [us]_6725-us ; but somehow — it is n’t that [you]_171-anne do n’t look young , [you]_171-anne know , but all the same [I]_146-perry should have thought . . . [I]_146-perry ’m [a rude brute]_{6726-a rude brute} . ”_[146-perry] “ That [I]_171-anne was much older , ”_[171-anne] laughed [Miss Brown]_171-anne . “ Well , [I]_171-anne often think so [myself]_171-anne . ”_[171-anne] “ It ’s something , [I]_3631-i do n’t know what . [You]_171-anne are far handsomer than in [Italy]_1-italy , and [you]_171-anne never did look much like [a girl]_{4122-a girl} — [you]_171-anne know what [I]_3631-i mean ; but now , upon [my]_3631-i word , [I]_3631-i do n’t know how to say it , [I]_3631-i never saw [an unmarried woman]_{6728-an unmarried woman} look like [you]_171-anne . [You]_171-anne look as if [you]_171-anne had seen and understood such a heap of things . [I]_3631-i feel quite a fool before [you]_171-anne . Forgive [me]_3631-i , ”_[3631-i] [he]_3631-i said , “ [I]_3631-i ’m always [a blundering tomfool]_{6729-a blundering tomfool} . [I]_3631-i had somehow thought of [you]_171-anne as something like [[my]_3631-i own girls]_{6730-my own girls} . [Winnie]_199-winnie ’s sixteen , [you]_171-anne know , and such [a strapping girl]_{6731-a strapping girl} . But [I]_3631-i feel as if [you]_171-anne might be [[my]_3631-i grandmother]_{6732-my grandmother} . ”_[3631-i] [Anne]_171-anne laughed . “ [I]_171-anne have always felt as if [I]_171-anne were [[your]_3631-i grandmother]_{6733-your grandmother} . [I]_171-anne was born old . Good‐bye , [Mr Perry]_152-perry . Remember that dinner is at seven ; and put on a dress‐coat if [you]_3631-i want to win the heart of [[my]_171-anne aunt]_{4294-my aunt} — [I]_171-anne mean [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s aunt]_{4490-mr hamlin ’s aunt} . ”_[171-anne] [Melton Perry]_152-perry whistled as [he]_152-perry stooped to unbuckle [his]_152-perry portmanteau . “ [I]_152-perry ’m damned if [I]_152-perry understand anything of it all , and [Annie]_171-anne least of any of [them]_6736-them , ”_[152-perry] [he]_152-perry mused . “ AFTER all , ”_[152-perry] said [Melton Perry]_152-perry to [himself]_152-perry next morning , as [he]_152-perry sat under the big apple‐trees in [the garden]_{675-the garden} , smoking [his]_152-perry pipe and looking at [Miss Brown]_171-anne stitching at a piece of embroidery and overwhelming [him]_152-perry with questions about [Winnie]_199-winnie , [Mildred]_165-mildred , [Leila]_474-leila , [the baby]_{3633-the baby} , [Mrs Perry]_146-perry — nay , even about all [[her]_146-perry former fellow‐servants in [Italy]_1-italy]_{3634-her former fellow‐servants in italy} , and [the grocer round the corner]_{3635-the grocer round the corner} , and [the milkman]_{3475-the milkman} , and [the man who came from [the country]_{945-the country}]_{3637-the man who came from the country} every Monday to fetch the linen,—“after all , it was a very bright idea of [old Watty]_178-watty ’s to fall in love with [[our]_6737-our nursemaid]_{6738-our nursemaid} and turn [her]_{6738-our nursemaid} into a wonderful æsthetic being in [a wonderful æsthetic house]_{6739-a wonderful æsthetic house} : it was very sensible of [Mrs Perry]_146-perry to encourage [him]_3640-him in the idea ; and it was just like a confounded , fumbling , purblind old pig and ass like [me]_{3637-the man who came from the country} to try and prevent it . ”_{[3637-the man who came from the country]} After lunch [Anne]_171-anne took [Melton Perry]_146-perry up into [the drawing‐room]_{4636-the drawing‐room} , cool , and almost Italian , with drawn blinds and a faint smell of flowers in the dusk , on one of the most stifling [London]_4-london afternoons . [Perry]_146-perry mechanically took out a cigarette ; but [he]_3640-him hastily put it in again . It seemed to [him]_3640-him profanation to smoke in such [a wonderful room]_{3641-a wonderful room} , in the presence of [such a wonderful woman]_{3642-such a wonderful woman} . “ Please smoke ; [you]_146-perry used always to smoke after lunch with [Mrs Perry]_146-perry , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne . “ But — this is n’t [Florence]_6-florence ; and [you]_146-perry — [you]_146-perry are n’t [Mrs Perry]_146-perry . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne made an impatient gesture that [he]_3640-him should take out [his]_3640-him cigarettes again . [She]_171-anne had determined that [she]_171-anne must speak to [him]_3640-him before [Hamlin]_145-hamlin came ; that [she]_171-anne must try and get [him]_3640-him to understand , to explain things to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . But how get [this good‐natured]_{3643-this good‐natured} , kindly , childish , yet in a way chivalrous , harum‐scarum creature to understand [her]_171-anne story ? [She]_171-anne had a great dread of the impossibility of making [him]_3640-him understand that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had never acted meanly towards [her]_171-anne — that [their]_3644-their estrangement was due to nothing voluntary on [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s part , to nothing but the disappointing of [her]_171-anne own perhaps unwarranted ideals ; of making [him]_3640-him understand that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s connection with [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , instead of being a grievance in [her]_171-anne eyes , was the greatest happiness [she]_171-anne could conceive . [Perry]_146-perry was sure to burst out against [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , to refuse to listen to [her]_171-anne explanations , to insist upon fighting the battle of [an injured woman]_{3645-an injured woman} . [Anne]_171-anne groaned at the thought , as [she]_171-anne might have groaned at some immense stone to roll uphill . It was always so difficult for [her]_171-anne to understand [others]_4163-others , so intolerably more difficult to make [herself]_171-anne understood . But [she]_171-anne had resolved . “ [I]_171-anne must tell [you]_152-perry all [my]_171-anne history since last [we]_6740-we saw [each other]_{594-each other} , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said ; “ [you]_152-perry will want to hear it , wo n’t [you]_152-perry , [Mr Perry]_152-perry ? ”_[171-anne] [Perry]_152-perry , to whose brain all the unwonted splendour of [this house]_{4073-this house} , all the fantasticalness of finding [[his]_152-perry former nursemaid]_{3648-his former nursemaid} changed into [a magnificently dressed goddess]_{3649-a magnificently dressed goddess} , had gone with a sort of narcotic effect , answered in a stupefied way , “ Oh dear , yes — of course — [I’m]_152-perry dying to hear it . [I]_171-anne ca n’t at all realise that it is really [you]_6742-you , [Annie]_171-anne , or really [anybody]_4081-anybody and anything . Do [you]_6742-you remember when [we]_6740-we went into [Lucca]_9-lucca that day for the feast of the Holy Face , and [I]_171-anne left [you]_6742-you with [Winnie]_199-winnie and [Mildred]_165-mildred to go to the opera with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? [D’you]_6742-you remember the plaster bust of Castruccio at the top of [the hotel stairs]_{6744-the hotel stairs} , with [the old woman]_{1176-the old woman} ’s night‐cap on ? [I]_171-anne do n’t know why that bust haunted [me]_171-anne so . What tiny trots [Winnie]_199-winnie and [Mildred]_165-mildred were , with sashes down at [their]_6740-we knees ! and [such confounded young flirts]_{6746-such confounded young flirts} , five feet seven , as [they]_6740-we are now ! [I]_171-anne see [you]_6742-you have [Winnie]_199-winnie ’s photograph . How comic [those brats]_{6747-those brats} must have looked ! . . . But wo n’t [you]_6742-you tell [me]_171-anne all [your]_6742-you marvellous and incredible circumstances ? ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_171-anne scarcely know where to begin ; perhaps [I]_171-anne had better begin at the end . [You]_6742-you wanted to know , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne , making a great effort to arrest [Perry]_199-winnie ’s attention , “ why [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [I]_171-anne were n’t married yet , nor even engaged . . . ”_[171-anne] “ Oh yes ; what the deuce is the meaning of it , [Annie]_171-anne ? [You]_171-anne are certainly [the queerest people]_{6748-the queerest people} , [[you]_171-anne æsthetic folk]_{2658-you æsthetic folk} . By Jove ! [you]_6742-you actually have a photograph of [yourself]_6742-you with [the children]_{3862-the children} . [I]_152-perry had clean forgotten its existence ; and now [I]_152-perry remember as if it were yesterday taking [you]_6742-you to [Alinari]_475-alinari ’s , and how beastly naughty [Winnie]_199-winnie was ! Oh , what [a sulky blackamoor]_{6751-a sulky blackamoor} [you]_6742-you do look , [Annie]_171-anne ! Good gracious ! [you]_152-perry do n’t mean to say [you]_6742-you know [her]_199-winnie ? ”_[152-perry] and [Melton Perry]_152-perry suddenly turned the album , at which [he]_152-perry was looking , towards [Anne]_171-anne . “ Where in [the world]_{496-the world} did [you]_152-perry pick up a photograph of [Mrs Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} ? ”_[152-perry] “ [Mrs Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} ? ”_[171-anne] asked [Anne]_171-anne , in amazement . “ Whom do [you]_152-perry mean ? [I]_171-anne never heard of [such a person]_{1125-such a person} . That photograph?—why , that ’s [a half‐Russian cousin of [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin 's , [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha , who was a [Miss Polozoff]_{477-miss polozoff} . ”_[171-anne] “ [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin}]_{6754-a half‐russian cousin of mr hamlin 's , sacha elaguine , who was a miss polozoff . ” “ hamlin ’s cousin} ! ”_{[478-melton perry,—“well]} whistled [Melton Perry,—“well]_{478-melton perry,—“well} , upon [my]_171-anne word . . . yes , of course , [I]_171-anne had forgotten — of course , [her]_{476-constantine} name is n’t [Mrs Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} any longer . But may [I]_171-anne ask , how under heaven do [you]_152-perry come to know [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ? ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_171-anne do n’t understand a word . [This lady]_{3255-this lady} is [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ; [she]_{3255-this lady} is [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s first cousin]_{6757-mr hamlin ’s first cousin} , and that ’s of course how [I]_171-anne come to know [her]_{3255-this lady} . ”_[171-anne] “ [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} or not [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{5572-hamlin ’s cousin} , how in [the wide world]_{2450-the wide world} could [a woman like [you]_152-perry ever know]_{6761-a woman like you ever know} , ever meet [such a — such a — excuse the word]_{6762-such a — such a — excuse the word} , but it ’s the least bad [I]_171-anne can find — such an abominable baggage as [this woman]_{5573-this woman} , [Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , or [Bulzo]_{476-constantine} , or [Polozoff]_358-sacha — as this abominable [Sacha]_386-sacha ? ”_[171-anne] [Miss Brown]_171-anne turned white and almost green ; the embroidery slipped out of [her]_171-anne hands — [she]_171-anne gasped . “ [Good Lord]_{6764-good lord} , what ’s the matter with [you]_171-anne , [Annie]_171-anne ? ”_[152-perry] cried [Perry]_152-perry , jumping up ; “ [you]_171-anne surely did n’t imagine that — [you]_171-anne surely ca n’t be [a great friend of such a creature as that]_{6765-a great friend of such a creature as that} . What ’s the matter?—are [you]_171-anne ill ? ”_[152-perry] “ It ’s nothing — the heat , [I]_171-anne suppose , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne , stooping to pick up [her]_171-anne embroidery ; “ and then , also , [I]_171-anne suppose [I]_171-anne ’m not very strong yet ; [I]_171-anne ’ve had brain fever , and [you]_152-perry took [me]_171-anne by surprise . But [I]_171-anne ought n’t to have been surprised , because [I]_171-anne know [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha has [a great many enemies]_{6766-a great many enemies} , and that [her]_386-sacha circumstances , [her]_386-sacha history , and in some measure , unfortunately , [her]_386-sacha ways and character , rather lend themselves to all manner of horrible stories . [She]_386-sacha ’s [a frightfully tried and slandered little woman]_{6767-a frightfully tried and slandered little woman} , poor thing . But [I]_171-anne don’t — [I]_171-anne do n’t believe any of it . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne was conscious of a horrible effort as [she]_171-anne spoke these words ; lying was difficult to [her]_171-anne ; and [she]_171-anne remembered [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis ’s words . “ Are [you]_171-anne really fond of [Madame Bulzo]_{479-madame bulzo} — [I]_152-perry mean [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ? ”_[152-perry] asked [Perry]_152-perry , grown very serious suddenly , and looking [Anne]_171-anne in the face with an expression of surprise and pain . “ Are [you]_171-anne intimate with [her]_386-sacha ? ”_[152-perry] “ [I]_171-anne am intimate in the sense of having been with [her]_386-sacha a good deal , and knowing more than [other people]_{665-other people} about [her]_386-sacha , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne ; “ but [I]_171-anne ca n’t say [I]_171-anne am [a great friend of [hers]_386-sacha]_{6769-a great friend of hers} . [She]_386-sacha is [[Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s cousin]_{2615-mr hamlin ’s cousin} ; [she]_386-sacha has settled in [England]_37-england recently ; [he]_145-hamlin — [we]_6771-we , [I]_171-anne mean — see a good deal of [her]_386-sacha . [I]_171-anne am awfully sorry for [her]_386-sacha , [poor little woman]_{2410-poor little woman} ; but there is n’t very much in common between [us]_6771-we . ”_[171-anne] “ Thank goodness ! ”_[152-perry] cried [Perry]_152-perry . “ Do [you]_152-perry know , the sight of that photograph made [me]_152-perry feel quite sick — the thought that [you]_152-perry , [Annie]_171-anne , should be [the friend of [such a creature]_{2354-such a creature}]_{6773-the friend of such a creature} . But [I]_152-perry knew [you]_152-perry could n’t be . ”_[152-perry] “ But [I]_152-perry am [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s friend]_{6775-madame elaguine ’s friend} ; [I]_152-perry do n’t believe a word of the infamous stories that are told about [her]_{360-madame elaguine} ; and [you]_152-perry would n’t believe them either , if [you]_152-perry knew all that [I]_152-perry do . ”_[152-perry] “ What do [you]_152-perry know ? ”_[152-perry] asked [Perry]_152-perry , slowly and pityingly ; “ about the iniquities of [Monsieur Elaguine]_{480-monsieur elaguine} , about the terrible persecution , the bits of letters , the pistol‐shots , the poisoned chocolate , the lit spirits of wine poured under the door,—all that crazy imposture , [I]_152-perry suppose ? Well , [I]_152-perry hope that [Hamlin]_145-hamlin knows no more than [you]_152-perry ; otherwise , by [God]_195-god ! [he]_145-hamlin ’s no better than [a blackguard]_{6776-a blackguard} to let [you]_152-perry associate with [this woman]_{5573-this woman} , be [she]_{5573-this woman} [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} a hundred times over ; and [you]_152-perry must never see [that woman]_{1707-that woman} again , [Annie]_171-anne . [I]_152-perry forbid [you]_152-perry to — [I]_152-perry , as [the oldest friend [you]_152-perry have in [the world]_{496-the world}]_{6780-the oldest friend you have in the world} — [I]_152-perry forbid [you]_152-perry to defile [yourself]_152-perry by knowing [that infamous creature]_{6782-that infamous creature} . ”_[152-perry] And [Perry]_152-perry walked fiercely up and down , while [Miss Brown]_171-anne , [her]_171-anne whole body , it seemed to [her]_171-anne , melting away from [her]_171-anne soul , sat speechless looking at [him]_152-perry . “ Listen to [me]_152-perry , [Anne]_171-anne , ”_[152-perry] [he]_152-perry said , “ and judge whether [I]_152-perry am unfair . [God]_195-god knows [I]_152-perry ’m not [a Puritan]_{2160-a puritan} , neither towards [myself]_152-perry nor towards [others]_4163-others . [I]_152-perry ’ve been [a very rowdy man]_{6785-a very rowdy man} ; [I]_152-perry ’ve knowu [a great many rowdy women]_{6786-a great many rowdy women} — what [you]_6787-you call [regular bad women]_{6788-regular bad women} — [Russians , who are the worst of all — by the dozen]_{6789-russians , who are the worst of all — by the dozen} . [I]_152-perry ’m not [a red‐tapist]_{6790-a red‐tapist} ; [I]_152-perry can quite understand [women misbehaving,—having lovers]_{6791-women misbehaving,—having lovers} — that sort of thing,—or even , if [they]_{6791-women misbehaving,—having lovers} are very wretched , selling [themselves]_{6791-women misbehaving,—having lovers} . It ’s beastly immoral to say so before [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , but still , there it is , it ’s the truth . Well , such as [you]_6787-you see [me]_152-perry , [I]_152-perry would n’t touch [that woman with the longest pair of tongs in all the devil]_{6793-that woman with the longest pair of tongs in all the devil} ’s kitchen . [That woman]_{1707-that woman} is really wicked — not merely immoral , but abominable , atrocious ; [she]_{1707-that woman} is [the sort of woman who absolutely degrades [a man]_{503-a man} , takes a pleasure in turning [him]_{503-a man} into a beast and [a madman — whose greatest pleasure would be to degrade and make a beast of an honest woman]_{6797-a madman — whose greatest pleasure would be to degrade and make a beast of an honest woman}]_{6795-the sort of woman who absolutely degrades a man , takes a pleasure in turning him into a beast and a madman — whose greatest pleasure would be to degrade and make a beast of an honest woman} . Just listen to [me]_152-perry . Some five years ago [I]_152-perry knew [a Greek couple]_{6798-a greek couple} — [a young man]_{6649-a young man} and [[his]_{6649-a young man} sister]_{2131-his sister} , called [Constantine]_{476-constantine} and [Marie Bulzo]_213-marie . [They]_{6798-a greek couple} were [orphans]_1393-orphans , very young , very handsome , especially [the boy]_{3866-the boy} , who was only eighteen or nineteen . [They]_{6798-a greek couple} were [a sort of half‐English Greeks]_{6803-a sort of half‐english greeks} , and went in for being æsthetical and artistic , all that sort of thing . [I]_152-perry knew [them]_{6798-a greek couple} in [Florence]_6-florence , where [Miss Bulzo]_{481-miss bulzo} , who was four or five years older than [[her]_{481-miss bulzo} brother]_{6804-her brother} , was studying painting . [I]_152-perry gave [them]_{6798-a greek couple} both lessons . [I]_152-perry never met [two such beautiful creatures , body and soul]_{6805-two such beautiful creatures , body and soul} , as those young [Bulzos]_{482-the bulzos} . [They]_{6798-a greek couple} were like [young saints , and yet perfectly childish and merry]_{6806-young saints , and yet perfectly childish and merry} , and [they]_{6798-a greek couple} were quite devoted to [each other]_{594-each other} : [Marie]_213-marie really lived only for [the boy]_{3866-the boy} . Well , six months later [I]_152-perry met [the two]_{1016-the two} at [Venice]_52-venice . [They]_{1016-the two} were staying at [the same hotel]_{1333-the same hotel} as [[your]_6811-your Madame Elaguine , who immediately proceeded to make [herself]_{360-madame elaguine} awfully fascinating and pathetic to [them]_{1016-the two}]_{360-madame elaguine} . Of course [the poor children]_{6812-the poor children} swallowed all about the persecutions by [the Nihilists]_{6813-the nihilists} as so much [Gospel]_483-gospel . [They]_{1016-the two} introduced [me]_152-perry , and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} rather amused [me]_152-perry ; but [I]_152-perry saw very soon that [she]_{360-madame elaguine} was n’t a woman for [them]_{1016-the two} to know . There was [a man staying in [the same hotel]_{1333-the same hotel}]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} , [an old friend of [hers]_{360-madame elaguine}]_{6816-an old friend of hers} , and , in fact , [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} lover]_{6817-her lover} , who was [one of the vilest scoundrels [the world]_{496-the world} ever bred]_{6818-one of the vilest scoundrels the world ever bred} — [a horrible loathsome old Russian]_{6820-a horrible loathsome old russian} . [I]_152-perry used to wonder how [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} could endure [him]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} , but then [I]_152-perry found out that [he]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} paid [her]_{360-madame elaguine} bills for [her]_{360-madame elaguine} . [I]_152-perry tried to warn [the Bulzos]_{482-the bulzos} , especially [Constantine]_{476-constantine} , as , being [a man]_{503-a man} , [he]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} might be expected to understand such things rather better . But , figurati ! ( and [Perry]_152-perry made an expressive gesture of Italian exaggeration , ) [they]_{482-the bulzos} would n’t hear a word against [[their]_{482-the bulzos} beloved , deeply injured , martyrised [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine}]_{6822-their beloved , deeply injured , martyrised madame elaguine} . Well , [we]_6823-we half quarrelled ; [I]_152-perry scarcely saw anything of [them]_{482-the bulzos} . At the end of four months what do [I]_152-perry hear , but that [Miss Bulzo]_{481-miss bulzo} was married to [[Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s loathsome Russian]_{6824-madame elaguine ’s loathsome russian} ; and then , a week later , [I]_152-perry see [Constantine]_{476-constantine} and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} go off in [the train]_{1061-the train} together . Do [you]_6826-you understand ? [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , who was in love with [young Bulzo]_{476-constantine} , wanted to go off with [him]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} , and not knowing what to do with [Marie]_213-marie , and wishing to dismiss and settle accounts with [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} quondam lover]_{6827-her quondam lover} , had , in some fiendish way , induced [this innocent girl of twenty‐four]_{6828-this innocent girl of twenty‐four} to marry [this frightful old Russian sinner]_{6829-this frightful old russian sinner} — had sold [her]_213-marie to the loathsome beast as a settlement to [their]_{482-the bulzos} debts ; and [Marie]_213-marie , after a few months , simply pined away and died of shame and disgust at the slavery [she]_213-marie had been sold into . Do [you]_6826-you understand that ? ”_[152-perry] “ [I]_171-anne understand ; but [I]_171-anne do n’t see why [I]_171-anne should believe — it ’s too horrible to be true . ”_[171-anne] “ It is true , though , for [Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} told it [me]_152-perry all [himself]_{476-constantine} later ; how [the Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} had talked [him]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} over to consent , and had regularly bullied [[his]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} sister]_{2131-his sister} into the marriage , by pretending that it was the only way of paying a lot of imaginary debts of [[her]_{360-madame elaguine} brother]_{6804-her brother} ’s , and had forced [Constantine]_{476-constantine} , who was raving in love with [her]_{360-madame elaguine} , to hold [his]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} tongue . That was the end of [Marie Bulzo]_213-marie . Now as to [Constantine]_{476-constantine} . [[His]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} sister]_{2131-his sister} once safely married to [her]_{360-madame elaguine} old beast , [he]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} went off with [the Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , or rather , [the Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} went off with [him]_{6814-a man staying in the same hotel} . Next summer [I]_152-perry met [them]_6833-them at [Perugia]_34-perugia ; [they]_6833-them were travelling about in remote places as [Mr]_6834-mr and [Mrs Bulzo]_{476-constantine} ; and [English people]_{6835-english people} were so kind as to believe that [this Russian woman of thirty]_{6836-this russian woman of thirty} and [this Greek boy of twenty]_{6837-this greek boy of twenty} were married . [Constantine]_{476-constantine} perfectly adored [her]_{6836-this russian woman of thirty} ; but [I]_152-perry never saw [a man]_{503-a man} more changed : [he]_{503-a man} looked thirty , [a miserable , hang‐dog , effeminate sort of creature]_{6839-a miserable , hang‐dog , effeminate sort of creature} , quite unable to do anything except drag after [[his]_{503-a man} so‐called wife]_{6840-his so‐called wife} . [That woman]_{1707-that woman} had regularly ruined [the poor boy]_{6842-the poor boy} , broken [his]_{6842-the poor boy} spirit , turned [him]_{6842-the poor boy} into a kind of male odalisque of [hers]_{6836-this russian woman of thirty} . Two years later [the Bulzos]_{482-the bulzos} were at [Venice]_52-venice again ; and [I]_152-perry came just in time for the catastrophe . One fine morning [Mrs Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} , become [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} once more , packed [her]_{476-constantine} trunks and went off with [a French painter]_{6843-a french painter} , leaving [[her]_{476-constantine} supposed husband]_{6844-her supposed husband} to pay the hotel bill . ”_[152-perry] “ [I]_152-perry saw [Constantine]_{476-constantine} shortly after ; [the woman]_{4801-the woman} had spent nearly all [his]_{503-a man} money , and [he]_{503-a man} was living , or starving , in [a room in [a beastly court]_{6847-a beastly court}]_{6846-a room in a beastly court} , slinking out only early in the morning and late at night , spending the day lying in [his]_{503-a man} bed , eating opium and drinking . [I]_152-perry never saw such a wreck in [my]_152-perry life . As [he]_{503-a man} was starving , [I]_152-perry got [him]_{503-a man} a place as clerk at [a picture‐shop]_{6848-a picture‐shop} , and tried to get [him]_{503-a man} to work ; but [he]_{503-a man} did n’t seem to care about living , and went on drinking and stupefying [himself]_{503-a man} , till one day [he]_{503-a man} drowned [himself]_{503-a man} in [the lagoon]_{6849-the lagoon} — [they]_6850-they say accidentally , but [I]_152-perry shall never believe it . That is the story of [[your]_6851-you Madame]_{6852-your madame} Elaguine ; and [I]_152-perry swear to [you]_6851-you [I]_152-perry have not exaggerated one word of it . Do [you]_6851-you still think [she]_{6852-your madame} is [a woman fit to be known by [you]_6851-you]_{6853-a woman fit to be known by you} ? By heaven ! when [I]_152-perry think what [that miserable boy]_{6854-that miserable boy} was when [I]_152-perry saw [him]_{503-a man} last , and what [he]_{503-a man} had been when first [I]_152-perry knew [him]_{503-a man} , [I]_152-perry feel as if it would be the greatest possible pleasure to throttle [[your]_6851-you Madame]_{6852-your madame} Elaguine with [my]_152-perry own hands ! Upon [my]_152-perry soul , [I]_152-perry do ! ”_[152-perry] [Perry]_152-perry was walking up and down rapidly . [Anne]_171-anne had never seen [him]_152-perry so excited in [his]_152-perry life . “ But , ”_[171-anne] remarked [Miss Brown]_171-anne , coldly , “ even admitting [your]_152-perry story to be true , which [I]_171-anne suppose , as it comes from [you]_152-perry , that [I]_171-anne must , was it all [the woman]_{4801-the woman} ’s fault ? [[You]_152-perry men]_{2890-you men} always throw the blame on [the woman]_{4801-the woman} . But [[your]_152-perry Constantine [Bulzo]_{476-constantine}]_{6859-your constantine bulzo} must have been [a wretched weak creature]_{6860-a wretched weak creature} . ”_[171-anne] [Perry]_152-perry stopped short . “ [No one]_{3899-no one} has a right to expect [every man]_{5756-every man} or [every woman]_{2705-every woman} to be very strong , ”_[152-perry] [he]_152-perry answered , sadly . “ [This poor boy]_{6864-this poor boy} was kind and trusting , and , when left to [his]_{6864-this poor boy} own devices , honest . [He]_{6864-this poor boy} was not weaker than [most men]_{2506-most men} , especially than most artistic natures — not weaker , for instance , than [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_[152-perry] [Anne Brown]_171-anne did not answer . But next morning [she]_171-anne greatly surprised [Melton Perry]_152-perry by asking [him]_152-perry , in a voice that affected [him]_152-perry as being very strange — “ Did [you]_152-perry tell [me]_171-anne something — a dreadful story — about [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} and [a young Greek friend of yours]_{6866-a young greek friend of yours} , yesterday afternoon ? ”_[171-anne] [Perry]_152-perry looked at [her]_171-anne with surprise . There was something in [her]_171-anne wide‐opened , strained eyes , in [her]_171-anne rigidity of features , that made [him]_152-perry think of a sleep‐walker . “ Of course [I]_171-anne did . Why ? ”_[171-anne] “ Oh , nothing . [I]_171-anne had only a very bad night — all manner of horrible dreams , and [I]_171-anne was not sure whether this might not be one of them . ”_[171-anne] “ DO [you]_171-anne know , [Annie]_171-anne , ”_[152-perry] said [Melton Perry]_152-perry , two or three days later , “ [I]_152-perry find [Watty]_178-watty very much altered . [He]_145-hamlin seems so fearfully depressed and broken‐spirited . [He]_145-hamlin used always to be bored , but not like this ; [he]_145-hamlin has got to look so old , with those great rings under [his]_145-hamlin eyes . ”_[152-perry] [Miss Brown]_171-anne did not answer . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin had returned the previous evening from [Paris]_42-paris , and [she]_171-anne also had noticed that [he]_145-hamlin was changed — not so much , indeed , as [Melton Perry]_152-perry seemed to think , for [Melton Perry]_152-perry had not seen [him]_145-hamlin for four or five years ; and [she]_171-anne — [she]_171-anne had watched a change coming over [him]_145-hamlin during the last months . Yet even [she]_171-anne must own to [herself]_171-anne that this change had made rapid progress during [his]_145-hamlin fortnight or three weeks in [Paris]_42-paris , or at least that this absence enabled [her]_171-anne to notice the change much more . [He]_145-hamlin was even more than usually apathetic and silent , and [his]_145-hamlin pleasure at seeing [[his]_145-hamlin old friend]_{530-his old friend} once more was so slight , or rather so tempered by a kind of indifference and even annoyance , that [Miss Brown]_171-anne felt perfectly nervous lest [poor warm‐hearted Melton Perry]_152-perry should feel mortally wounded . The next day [Hamlin]_145-hamlin made an effort over [himself]_145-hamlin : [he]_145-hamlin seemed anxious to be as kind as possible to [Perry]_152-perry ; but somehow it did not succeed . [Melton Perry]_152-perry would have liked , as [he]_152-perry said , to have [Walter]_145-hamlin all to [himself]_152-perry , to sit with [him]_145-hamlin by the hour together , or walk out alone with [him]_145-hamlin , talking of old times ; but [Hamlin]_145-hamlin seemed possessed by a nervous dread of a tête‐à‐tête . [He]_145-hamlin could not sit in [the studio]_{795-the studio} with [Perry]_152-perry for more than half an hour without , on some excuse or other , calling [[his]_145-hamlin aunt]_{1527-his aunt} or [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [He]_145-hamlin seemed to have invited [a lot of people]_{3653-a lot of people} to drop in at all hours , as if to protect [him]_145-hamlin from [[his]_145-hamlin old friend]_{530-his old friend} . “ It ’s awfully good of [old Hamlin]_145-hamlin to wish [me]_152-perry to know [all these grand swell painters and newspaper writers]_{6867-all these grand swell painters and newspaper writers} , ”_[152-perry] said [Perry]_152-perry to [Anne]_171-anne , in the tone of [a disappointed child]_{3655-a disappointed child} ; “ and [I]_152-perry suppose it is very useful to [me]_152-perry . But still , [I]_152-perry wish [I]_152-perry could get [him]_145-hamlin to understand that what [I]_152-perry want at present is to see just [him]_145-hamlin and [you]_171-anne ; that [all these confounded influential people]_{6868-all these confounded influential people} will keep ; and that [I]_152-perry ’d rather have a good talk over a pipe with [him]_145-hamlin alone , as in old days . ”_[152-perry] [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . It seemed to [her]_171-anne that [she]_171-anne understood so well why [Hamlin]_145-hamlin dreaded a tête‐à‐tête with [Melton Perry]_152-perry ; a tête‐à‐t;ête which would be , largely , a talk about the past and the future , about [her]_171-anne , [Anne Brown]_171-anne . But [Anne]_171-anne could not think about [poor Perry]_152-perry and [his]_152-perry disappointed friendliness ; [her]_171-anne whole nature seemed to be staggering and reeling , and the concerns of [other folk]_{681-other folk} were as distant , as unattainable , as they might be to [a person tossed for hours on a stormy sea]_{3657-a person tossed for hours on a stormy sea} , paralysed , removed as it were from [the world]_{496-the world} by an unspeakable sense of nausea . The days seemed to reel past , and yet not a week was gone since the arrival of [Melton Perry]_152-perry . One afternoon , [they]_3659-they were seated — [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , [Perry]_152-perry , and [she]_171-anne — with [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} at tea in [the dim , shuttered drawing‐room]_{3660-the dim , shuttered drawing‐room} , with the heavy scent of flowers , when [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} was announced . If a ghost had appeared on the threshold , [Anne]_171-anne could not have turned paler , and trembled harder in all [her]_171-anne limbs — [this man , whom [she]_171-anne had seen but a week ago]_{3661-this man , whom she had seen but a week ago} , seemed indeed [a spectre out of the past]_{3662-a spectre out of the past} , the long dead past , with which all connection was severed . It was an immense relief to [her]_171-anne not to be alone ; [she]_171-anne had an instinct that [Richard]_{223-richard brown} had come to ask [her]_171-anne whether , at last , [she]_171-anne had settled matters with [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; [she]_171-anne thought [she]_171-anne could see [his]_{223-richard brown} eyes going from [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s face to [her]_171-anne own inquiringly . The conversation was languid and indifferent . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} wished for an explanation from [her]_171-anne ; [Melton Perry]_152-perry hoped for an explanation from [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} ; [Hamlin]_145-hamlin looked on passively , with that half‐stupefied look which [she]_171-anne had noticed in [him]_145-hamlin lately . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin was more than merely depressed , [he]_145-hamlin was very sad ; [his]_145-hamlin face , so handsome and still so young , so perfectly unmarked in feature , contrasted strikingly with the pleased , happy‐go‐lucky , kindly face of [Perry]_152-perry ; with the strong , eager , contemptuous face of [Brown]_{223-richard brown} . For a moment [Anne]_171-anne wondered what this sadness meant ; whether there was in [him]_145-hamlin any recollection of what [he]_145-hamlin was , of what [he]_145-hamlin might be ; whether [the poet]_{5371-the poet} , [the dreamer]_{5737-the dreamer} , [the chivalrous Hamlin of former days]_{3665-the chivalrous hamlin of former days} , still existed and suffered within [this weak and degraded Hamlin of the present]_{3666-this weak and degraded hamlin of the present} ; and then , suddenly , this thought came in violent contact with the remembrance of [Perry]_152-perry ’s story of [Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} . Had [Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} looked like that ? [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , obviously disappointed in [his]_{223-richard brown} visit , rose . “ Why are [you]_{223-richard brown} going so soon , [Brown]_{223-richard brown} ? ”_[145-hamlin] asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , rising and making an effort over [himself]_145-hamlin ; “ [you]_{223-richard brown} never give [me]_145-hamlin a chance of seeing [you]_{223-richard brown} . Wo n’t [you]_{223-richard brown} stay to dinner ? It is very impertinent of [me]_145-hamlin to invite [people]_577-people in [a house that is n’t mine]_{6870-a house that is n’t mine} ; but [I]_145-hamlin feel sure [Miss Brown]_171-anne is disappointed in not having had any talk with [you]_{223-richard brown} . [Chough]_248-chough is coming to see [Perry]_152-perry this evening , so [you]_{223-richard brown} and [[your]_{223-richard brown} cousin]_{4341-your cousin} might have a chat after dinner . ”_[145-hamlin] [He]_{223-richard brown} spoke simply , in [his]_{223-richard brown} quiet , subdued , melancholy voice . [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} looked at [him]_{223-richard brown} rapidly from head to foot ; what was the meaning of this ? And [Anne]_171-anne felt [herself]_171-anne growing very red . Had [Hamlin]_145-hamlin guessed what [she]_171-anne scarcely [herself]_171-anne knew ? “ Thank [you]_171-anne , ”_{[223-richard brown]} answered [Richard]_{223-richard brown} ; “ [I]_{223-richard brown} am dining with some of [[my]_{223-richard brown} would‐be constituents]_{6872-my would‐be constituents} to‐night . [You]_171-anne know , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said to [Anne]_171-anne , “ [I]_{223-richard brown} am going into [Parliament]_{122-parliament} , [I]_{223-richard brown} believe . [I]_{223-richard brown} will return soon ; many thanks , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_{[223-richard brown]} “ [I]_{223-richard brown} have a good many things to tell [you]_171-anne , [Nan]_171-anne , ”_{[223-richard brown]} [he]_{223-richard brown} said , as [Miss Brown]_171-anne accompanied [him]_{223-richard brown} to [the room‐door]_{3667-the room‐door} . “ [I]_{223-richard brown} have heard of a scholarship which [I]_{223-richard brown} am sure [you]_171-anne could take if [you]_171-anne would cram for six months ; and [I]_{223-richard brown} want to ask [you]_171-anne a lot of things also . [I]_{223-richard brown} will come back in two or three days . Good‐bye . ”_{[223-richard brown]} [He]_{223-richard brown} squeezed [her]_171-anne hand ; and [Anne]_171-anne felt [her]_171-anne heart thump at that hand‐squeeze , so frank and affectionate . “ Good‐bye , [Cousin Dick]_379-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said . [Her]_171-anne voice and eyes and hand lingered in that farewell , in a way quite unusual to [her]_171-anne reserved and decided nature . [She]_171-anne was saying goodbye [she]_171-anne knew not exactly to what , but [she]_171-anne felt that the farewell was the last , and that it meant farewell to [her]_171-anne happiness . [Chough]_379-hamlin came to dinner and stayed during the evening . When [he]_379-hamlin and [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had taken [their]_3668-their departure , [Perry]_152-perry remained for a few moments standing by the open window , looking vacantly at the trees , the outlines of [the craft]_{3669-the craft} moored opposite , the long trails of moonlight on [the water]_{4411-the water} . Then [he]_152-perry came back into [the room]_{574-the room} , and began fiddling with some roses in a glass . “ Beautiful roses , ”_[152-perry] [he]_152-perry said , in an awkward drawl ; “ [we]_6873-we have none like them in [Italy]_1-italy . Why do n’t [Italians]_484-italians cultivate flowers ? What do [you]_171-anne call this ? Is it a [La France]_{140-la france} ? [I]_152-perry never knew a turnip from a jasmine . ”_[152-perry] “ [I]_171-anne think it is a [La France]_{140-la france} ; [I]_171-anne do n’t know , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , taking a candlestick off the dining‐room mantelpiece . “ [I]_171-anne think [I]_171-anne must leave [you]_152-perry now . [You]_152-perry will find a box of cigarettes on the sideboard . Forgive [me]_171-anne , [I]_171-anne feel so tired and stupid . ”_[171-anne] “ One moment ! ”_[152-perry] cried [Perry]_152-perry . “ It ’s a very disagreeable thing [I]_171-anne have to say , [Annie]_171-anne ; but [I]_171-anne think [I]_171-anne ought to say it . [I]_171-anne guessed it the second time [I]_171-anne saw [him]_152-perry already ; but now [I]_171-anne am quite sure of it — [Hamlin]_379-hamlin drinks . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne did not answer . “ [I]_152-perry do n’t mean to say that [he]_152-perry gets drunk . But [he]_152-perry drinks — spirits ; [I]_152-perry ’ve seen [him]_152-perry to‐night after dinner , and [I]_152-perry ’m sure [he]_152-perry ’s going to take more at [home]_4170-home . There ’s no mistaking the look . It is n’t that [he]_152-perry takes much , not more than [I]_152-perry or [most men]_{2506-most men} might take ; but it is that [he]_152-perry ought n’t to take any . [He]_152-perry used , [you]_6876-you know , never even to take wine , except with gallons of water . [He]_152-perry ca n’t take anything of the sort . [I]_152-perry remember already when [we]_6877-we were at college together , [Watty]_178-watty was [a teetotaller]_{6878-a teetotaller} . It appears [some people]_{5310-some people} are like that ; [I]_152-perry ’ve heard [doctors]_6722-doctors say that it ’s not unusual in [families]_{6881-families} where there has been much drinking : it ’s a sort of diseased sensitiveness to alcohol — it becomes a kind of poison . [You]_6876-you know that [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s father]_{5130-hamlin ’s father} drank , and [one of [[his]_152-perry uncles]_{3511-his uncles}]_{6883-one of his uncles} died of drink , and [[his]_152-perry brother]_{5101-his brother} is either dead or dying , somewhere in [a maison de santé]_{6886-a maison de santé} , of a sort of mixed delirium tremens and craziness . It ’s a thing , ”_[152-perry] went on [Perry]_152-perry , keeping [his]_152-perry eyes fixed on the pattern of the Persian rug under [his]_152-perry feet , “ which grieves and alarms [me]_152-perry horribly ; and in which [I]_152-perry feel that [you]_6876-you are probably [the only person who could have any influence with]_{6887-the only person who could have any influence with} [him]_379-hamlin . It ’s useless [my]_152-perry speaking . [He]_379-hamlin must have got in among a bad lot . [That little Chough]_{6888-that little chough} seems harmless enough;but [I]_152-perry hear that [he]_379-hamlin was very close with [a nasty fellow called [Lewis]_353-lewis]_{6889-a nasty fellow called lewis} — [a spiritualist]_{6890-a spiritualist} , [opium‐eater]_{6891-opium‐eater} , haschisch‐eater , and heaven knows what . Does [he]_379-hamlin see much of [him]_379-hamlin now ? ”_[152-perry] “ [He]_379-hamlin has quarrelled with [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , [I]_152-perry fancy . ”_[152-perry] “ Ah — so much the better . Then this would evidently be the moment to act . Of course [I]_152-perry know it will be awfully difficult and horrible for [you]_6876-you ; because [he]_379-hamlin ’ll feel so miserably ashamed before [you]_6876-you , and , of course , [you]_6876-you will feel it almost as badly as [he]_379-hamlin . But still , [you]_6876-you are [the only person that can influence [him]_379-hamlin]_{6892-the only person that can influence him} . [You]_6876-you see [he]_379-hamlin loves [you]_6876-you , worships [you]_6876-you , all that sort of thing . And [I]_152-perry am sure [you]_6876-you will have the courage to get over [your]_6876-you repugnance to [a disagreeable half‐hour]_{6893-a disagreeable half‐hour} , wo n’t [you]_6876-you , [Annie]_171-anne , for [your]_6876-you own sake as well as [his]_379-hamlin ? ”_[152-perry] “ [I]_171-anne will do [my]_171-anne best , ”_[171-anne] said [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [MISS BROWN]_171-anne went up to [[her]_171-anne room]_{1374-her room} slowly , and slowly proceeded to undress . “ [You]_171-anne look very tired , [miss]_4492-miss , ”_{[694-her maid]} said [[her]_171-anne maid]_{694-her maid} ; “ have n’t [you]_171-anne perhaps been overtiring [yourself]_171-anne so soon after [your]_171-anne illness ? and do n’t [you]_171-anne think [you]_171-anne had better let [me]_{694-her maid} brush [your]_171-anne hair for [you]_171-anne ? ”_{[694-her maid]} [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head ; [she]_171-anne had never consented to let [any one]_{4101-any one} wait upon [her]_171-anne except when ill , with that odd feeling that [she]_171-anne , [a servant]_{4125-a servant} , had no right to have [a servant]_{4125-a servant} ; and [the maid whom [Hamlin]_379-hamlin considered as a sort of necessary institution for [a woman in [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s position]_{3678-a woman in miss brown ’s position}]_{3677-the maid whom hamlin considered as a sort of necessary institution for a woman in miss brown ’s position} , had been virtually put at the disposal of [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} , whose constant fidgeting over [her]_{243-mrs macgregor} [clothes , and tea , and coffee , and food , according to hygienic theories of thirty years back]_{3679-clothes , and tea , and coffee , and food , according to hygienic theories of thirty years back} , might have afforded occupation not to two but to [twenty maids]_{3680-twenty maids} . [Anne]_171-anne really did look very worn out ; more so than [she]_171-anne had seemed these several weeks , thought [the maid]_{4505-the maid} . “ No , thank [you]_171-anne , [Laura]_190-laura , ”_[171-anne] said [Miss Brown]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne really did not feel at all as if [she]_171-anne could sleep ; [she]_171-anne felt the blood rushing through every artery of [her]_171-anne body , and a hot faintness overtake [her]_171-anne . “ It wo n’t do to make [myself]_171-anne ill again , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said to [herself]_171-anne . [The doctor]_{5794-the doctor} had said that for the present [she]_171-anne must try and get as much sleep as possible ; and [she]_171-anne was [a practical , methodical person]_{3683-a practical , methodical person} . [She]_171-anne brushed [her]_171-anne hair , still in short wavy masses since it was cut during the fever , carefully , slowly . It seemed to [her]_171-anne as if , in the half light , it looked more grey than black . [She]_171-anne pulled out a few white hairs : they come early in hair as dark and wiry as [hers]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne folded [her]_171-anne clothes methodically , as [she]_171-anne used to fold the clothes of [the little Perrys]_{645-the little perrys} , put out [her]_171-anne light and lay down . “ It wo n’t do to make [myself]_171-anne ill again , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said ; and , closing [her]_171-anne eyes , determined to sleep . [She]_171-anne remained stretched out rigidly , like [a dead woman]_{5734-a dead woman} , [her]_171-anne head straight on [her]_171-anne pillows , and trying to keep [her]_171-anne mind as rigid as [her]_171-anne body . But it was of no use . [She]_171-anne could not sleep ; [her]_171-anne blood and [her]_171-anne thoughts seemed to throb furiously within [her]_171-anne . [Anne]_171-anne ’s mind had been made up , quietly , methodically , much in the same way as [her]_171-anne hair had been brushed and [her]_171-anne clothes folded , already a good hour ago , when talking to [Melton Perry]_152-perry ; [she]_171-anne had seen the necessity of a decision coming , had waited for the moment when the decision should be made , ever since [she]_171-anne had heard that story of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} and [Constantine Bulzo]_{476-constantine} . There had been , it seemed to [her]_171-anne , no alternative ; and there seemed to [her]_171-anne that there was no alternative now , either . But as [she]_171-anne lay motionless in [her]_171-anne bed , and stared into the darkness with wide‐opened eyes , [she]_171-anne began , once more , to go over slowly and repeatedly the steps of the argument , which had , three or four days ago , become manifest to [her]_171-anne as might the mechanism of a broken watch to [a watchmaker]_{3686-a watchmaker} , of any very inevitable and obvious thing . [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had done everything for [her]_171-anne ; [he]_379-hamlin had turned what [she]_171-anne looked back upon with horror , as a kind of intellectual and moral death , into life . [He]_379-hamlin had bought [her]_171-anne soul free , had nourished and nurtured it , as [a man]_{503-a man} might have redeemed , nourished , and nurtured the body of [some slave child]_{3688-some slave child} , doomed to be [a cripple in a crippling occupation]_{3689-a cripple in a crippling occupation} ; [he]_379-hamlin had done , [she]_171-anne felt assured , what [no other man]_{1078-no other man} had ever done for [a woman]_{3960-a woman} , since [no other woman]_{2559-no other woman} , [she]_171-anne thought , could have escaped from such a state of utter soul stagnation as had already begun , those five years ago , in [her]_171-anne slow , sullen nature . It was more than had ever been done for [another woman]_{4381-another woman} , and [Anne]_171-anne felt its value more than any other ; for despite the modesty and frankness which often took [others]_4163-others aback , the very stuff of [her]_171-anne soul , like the very mould of [her]_171-anne features , was pride . [She]_171-anne knew [herself]_171-anne to be nobler than [the majority of men]_{3695-the majority of men} and [women]_3959-women ; not more intelligent , nor more honest , nor more kindly , nor any one particular quality , but more homogeneous of nature ; not alloyed in any portion , whatever [she]_171-anne might be ; upright , sincere , practical , harsh even , through and through : a reality , where they seemed but half reality and half make‐up . And that [she]_171-anne should be this [she]_171-anne owed to [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; without [him]_379-hamlin [she]_171-anne would have been equally homogeneous of soul , but it would have been with the uniformity , the rigidity of spiritual death . What [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had done , [he]_379-hamlin had done from no base motives , and without the smallest taint of baseness in the doing : [he]_379-hamlin had not actually wanted [her]_171-anne , [he]_379-hamlin had wanted merely to perfect a thing that seemed to [him]_379-hamlin good of its sort , to make [her]_171-anne a soul that should suit [her]_171-anne body ; [he]_379-hamlin had done it deliberately , consistently , unwearyingly , with a gentleness , a generous tact , which had themselves been a benefit . That [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had acted from an imaginative whim , that [he]_379-hamlin had carried out an exotic artistic caprice , played a sublimated game of artistic skill , [Anne]_171-anne could not at this moment take into account . [She]_171-anne knew , and only too well , that [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was selfish , whimsical , fantastic , vain , [a seeker after new poses and new sensations]_{3697-a seeker after new poses and new sensations} ; but [she]_171-anne knew all this analytically , piecemeal as the result of thought ; and [she]_171-anne was in a sense too dull , too unable to comprehend [others]_4163-others , and , above all , too utterly devoid of all vanity , whimsicalness , and theatricality , too completely of a piece , a mass of granite , as [she]_171-anne often felt , to conceive these analytically recognised peculiarities as absolutely organic and active forces . [She]_171-anne had conceived [Hamlin]_379-hamlin to be that which to [her]_171-anne was the easiest conception — generous ; and nothing could make [her]_171-anne conceive [his]_379-hamlin behaviour towards [her]_171-anne in any any other light . Moreover , there remained in this frank and fearless nature , shrinking from no disillusions , one delusion which was the safer for [her]_171-anne very consciousness of uncompromising hatred of all delusions . [She]_171-anne clung , without knowing it , to the belief that in one thing at least [Hamlin]_379-hamlin had been perfectly noble , that no subsequently discovered weakness and baseness could ever alter that ; [she]_171-anne treasured up a shred of [her]_171-anne old ideal , the belief that whatever [Hamlin]_379-hamlin might be towards [others]_4163-others and towards [himself]_379-hamlin , towards [her]_171-anne [he]_379-hamlin had been [the real Hamlin whom [she]_171-anne had loved and worshipped]_{3700-the real hamlin whom she had loved and worshipped} . And now [this Hamlin]_379-hamlin , [this man to whom [she]_171-anne owed all , and whose past [she]_171-anne still loved]_{3701-this man to whom she owed all , and whose past she still loved} , was gradually being alienated from all the nobler things for which [he]_379-hamlin was fit — gradually being separated from [his]_379-hamlin nobler self , and dragged , stripped of all [his]_379-hamlin better qualities , into a moral quagmire , a charnel , a cloaca , to stick and rot inchwise . And this , [Anne]_171-anne said to [herself]_171-anne , to some degree by [her]_171-anne own fault ; for had [she]_171-anne not let [her]_171-anne antipathy for the tendencies which [she]_171-anne had gradually discovered in [him]_379-hamlin , and [her]_171-anne loathing for the tendencies of [the men who surrounded [him]_379-hamlin]_{3702-the men who surrounded him} , smother [her]_171-anne gratitude , [her]_171-anne sympathy , turn [her]_171-anne away in sullen scorn and isolation , from [the man whom [she]_171-anne was bound to help]_{3703-the man whom she was bound to help} , and [the men whom [she]_171-anne was bound to combat]_{3704-the men whom she was bound to combat} ? [She]_171-anne forgot for the moment the many abortive attempts [she]_171-anne had made to awaken the better qualities of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; or rather , [she]_171-anne could no longer conceive that those attempts had been sufficiently strenuous and determined ; it seemed to [her]_171-anne , forgetful of the dead‐weight of opposition , that [she]_171-anne must have been very feeble and half‐hearted . Instead of thinking of [him]_379-hamlin , [she]_171-anne had thought only of [herself]_171-anne , of preserving [her]_171-anne own soul from infection , of keeping [her]_171-anne own soul strong and active ; [she]_171-anne had selfishly thought of [the world]_{496-the world} ’s miseries , which [she]_171-anne could not prevent , instead of thinking of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , whom [she]_171-anne might have saved ; and finally , [she]_171-anne had let [herself]_171-anne indulge in dreams of liberty , that is to say , of desertion of [her]_171-anne duty . Those monks and [nuns of former days]_{3706-nuns of former days} , for whom [she]_171-anne felt such unutterable contempt , had [they]_{3706-nuns of former days} acted differently from [her]_171-anne when [they]_{3706-nuns of former days} left [[their]_{3706-nuns of former days} fellow‐men]_{3707-their fellow‐men} to perish in sin , in order that [they]_{3706-nuns of former days} might enjoy the luxury of virtue in [a convent]_{3182-a convent} or [a desert]_{5827-a desert} ? [She]_171-anne loathed æsthetes like [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ; and yet , what had [she]_171-anne [herself]_171-anne been , save [an æsthete of another sort]_{3710-an æsthete of another sort} , selfishly preoccupied with spiritual comfort , and worse than any of [them]_{3706-nuns of former days} for the very moral consciousness which lay at the root of this immorality ? Why had [she]_171-anne not driven away [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis , opposing [herself]_171-anne to [him]_353-lewis with all [her]_171-anne might ? Why had [she]_171-anne not driven away [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha ? Now that [she]_171-anne had learned from [Melton Perry]_152-perry what [this woman]_{5573-this woman} really was , every single circumstance of [their]_3712-their former intercourse , every single fact and suggestion that had come to [her]_171-anne , from [Mrs Macgregor]_{243-mrs macgregor} ’s warnings to [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis ’s cowardly accusation,—all the hundred little impressions which [she]_171-anne [herself]_171-anne had received , grouped themselves together , and made it obvious that [Sacha]_386-sacha must be , could only have been , the horrible walking depravity which [she]_{5573-this woman} had been revealed . Essentially unanalytic of mind , [Miss Brown]_171-anne could now no longer conceive how it was that [she]_171-anne had not understood [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} at once ; in that massive horror with which [the Russian woman]_{6513-the russian woman} had filled [her]_171-anne , it was impossible to remember all the deluding little circumstances which had closed [her]_171-anne heart to suspicion — nay , all the purity of [her]_171-anne own nature , the charity , the desire to be equitable , which had made this now so overpowering mass of abomination not merely impossible to realise , but impossible to conceive . It seemed to [her]_171-anne as if [Sacha]_386-sacha must always have shown [herself]_386-sacha what [she]_386-sacha was ; and that [she]_171-anne , [Anne Brown]_171-anne , must have wilfully closed [her]_171-anne eyes . [She]_171-anne had never asked [herself]_171-anne whether it was not [her]_171-anne duty towards [Hamlin]_379-hamlin to come to some conclusion about [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ; [she]_171-anne had let [their]_3715-their connection drift on ; [she]_171-anne had seen in the ruin of [the man to whom [she]_171-anne owed all]_{3716-the man to whom she owed all} , only a means to [her]_171-anne own deliverance from a life which [she]_171-anne hated , from a duty which [she]_171-anne shirked . [Anne]_171-anne remembered how [she]_171-anne had watched with terror that look of weariness and shame on [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s face , which ought to have told [her]_171-anne that [this poor , weak , sick soul]_{3717-this poor , weak , sick soul} might still be saved ; [she]_171-anne remembered the joy with which [she]_171-anne had heard of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s departure for [Paris]_42-paris — that is to say , of the crowning act of weakness and folly which had made [him]_379-hamlin the chattel of [[his]_379-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} . [Anne]_171-anne loathed [herself]_171-anne as [a woman]_{3960-a woman} might loathe [herself]_171-anne , who recognised that [she]_171-anne had let [some living creature die of hunger and want of nursing]_{3720-some living creature die of hunger and want of nursing} . Shame [she]_171-anne did not feel , nor yet remorse ; [she]_171-anne cared too little for [herself]_171-anne to care for [her]_171-anne own ideals ; [she]_171-anne did not once think that [she]_171-anne had been mistaken , that [she]_171-anne had been base , ungrateful , that [she]_171-anne was dishonoured in [her]_171-anne own eyes ; [she]_171-anne merely thought that [Hamlin]_379-hamlin was on the brink of ruin , ruin of all [his]_379-hamlin nobler self and of [his]_379-hamlin happiness — that [she]_171-anne had done it , and that [she]_171-anne was there , alone , to save [him]_379-hamlin . In those long hours , lying motionless in the dark , the face of [Hamlin]_379-hamlin , as [she]_171-anne had recently seen it , [that weak , profoundly depressed , half‐degraded face]_{3721-that weak , profoundly depressed , half‐degraded face} , was constantly before [her]_171-anne eyes ; and surrounding it , vague and threatening , the faces — so strangely like it and transfigured in a kind of tragic degradation , of the portraits at [Wotton Hall]_{16-wotton hall} — of [[Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s half‐crazy , disgraced brother]_{3722-hamlin ’s half‐crazy , disgraced brother} ; of [[his]_379-hamlin odious , passion‐stained father]_{3723-his odious , passion‐stained father} ; of [[his]_379-hamlin drunken uncles]_{3724-his drunken uncles} ; above all , [that beautiful woman]_{3725-that beautiful woman} ’s face , with the curled hair and loose collar — that face so curiously compounded of effeminacy , whimsicalness , and cynical self‐abandonment ; of [[his]_379-hamlin great‐uncle [Mordaunt]_144-hamlin , whose portrait had been exiled to [the lumber‐room]_{1932-the lumber‐room} , whose name banished from the memory of [[his]_379-hamlin relatives]_{3728-his relatives}]_{3726-his great‐uncle mordaunt , whose portrait had been exiled to the lumber‐room , whose name banished from the memory of his relatives} ; and along with [them]_{3728-his relatives} , and resembling [them]_{3728-his relatives} like [a brother]_{6147-a brother} , the confused , imaginary image of [that miserable Greek lad whom [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha had ruined]_{3730-that miserable greek lad whom sacha elaguine had ruined} . Was it still time ? Could [Hamlin]_144-hamlin still be saved ? was [he]_144-hamlin already hopelessly bound for life to [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ? Had [Anne]_171-anne waked up too late ? [She]_171-anne did not know . [She]_171-anne only knew that there was not an hour , not a moment to lose ; and that there was but one thing to be done . [Hamlin]_144-hamlin must not , should not , marry [Sacha]_386-sacha . And the only way to prevent it was that [he]_144-hamlin should marry [Anne Brown]_171-anne . [He]_144-hamlin might , as [Lewis]_353-lewis said , and as [she]_171-anne believed , already be [the lover of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine}]_{3731-the lover of madame elaguine} ; but [he]_144-hamlin was not yet [the husband]_{4025-the husband} , and most probably not yet [the betrothed]_{3733-the betrothed} . And was [he]_144-hamlin not bound , by that paper which the ignoble suspiciousness of [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had required of [him]_144-hamlin in [that distant past in [Florence]_6-florence]_{3734-that distant past in florence} , to marry [Anne Brown]_171-anne at whatever time [she]_171-anne rnight call upon [him]_144-hamlin to do so ? “ [I]_171-anne must become [[his]_144-hamlin wife]_{700-his wife} , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne to [herself]_171-anne ; and [she]_171-anne said it as [she]_171-anne might have said “ the sun must rise in so many hours . ”_[171-anne] There was no room for hesitation on [her]_171-anne part ; the choice , the act of volition , was so decided , that there ceased to be either choice or volition ; to become [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} seemed to [Anne]_171-anne as an inevitable necessity coming from without . But little by little : as [she]_171-anne lay there broad awake , yet with somewhat of that tendency , as of [an opium‐dreamer]_{3736-an opium‐dreamer} , to see things exaggerated which comes to [us]_3737-us in darkness , [she]_171-anne began to realise the meaning of this formula — to become [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} . The whole past rushed into [her]_171-anne mind , and became , as it were , the mirage of the future , and that mirage was horrible . To be [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} meant to relinquish the liberty which had , for the last two or three months , been safe within [her]_171-anne grasp , the liberty of being [herself]_171-anne . [Anne]_171-anne was one of those natures which , though able , by moments , to enjoy [themselves]_{3740-themselves} like [children]_570-children , do not believe much in happiness ; to whom , singled out , as it were , to achieve self‐sacrifice or endure martyrdom , happiness is a mere name , a negative thing — but to whom unhappiness is a positive reality , the thing which [they]_{3740-themselves} expect , with which [their]_{3740-themselves} soul seems , in some pre‐natal condition , to have become familiar as the one great certainty . The happiness , therefore , which [she]_171-anne was losing — the independence , the activity , the serenity , the possibility of a life of noble companionship with [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} — all this was only a distant and unsubstantial thing ; [she]_171-anne had never experienced it , and it could not well be realised . But [she]_171-anne knew by experience , familiar with its every detail , the unhappiness which lay in the future as [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s wife]_{5152-hamlin ’s wife} , for this future would be but a return to the past ; and [she]_171-anne felt as might [a person lost in a catacomb , and who , having got to a chink , having seen the light and breathed the air]_{3743-a person lost in a catacomb , and who , having got to a chink , having seen the light and breathed the air} , should be condemned to wander again , to rethread for ever the black and choking corridors leading nowhere . That [Hamlin]_144-hamlin was lost if [he]_144-hamlin married [Sacha]_386-sacha , [she]_171-anne knew as [she]_171-anne knew that two and two make four ; but [she]_171-anne did not in the least flatter [herself]_171-anne that [her]_171-anne own influence would be as potent for good , as [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s must be potent for evil . [She]_171-anne knew [Hamlin]_144-hamlin too well for that , and [herself]_171-anne also . If [Hamlin]_144-hamlin had remained weak , cold , vain , and mean under [her]_171-anne influence hitherto , [he]_144-hamlin must remain so for ever ; [he]_144-hamlin was born all these things . [She]_171-anne could prevent [his]_144-hamlin growing worse , [she]_171-anne could not make [him]_144-hamlin grow better ; [her]_171-anne position would be as that of [a woman who devoted [herself]_171-anne to nurse [a person sick of an incurable disease]_{3745-a person sick of an incurable disease}]_{3744-a woman who devoted herself to nurse a person sick of an incurable disease} : there would be none of the excitement of a possible cure , only the routine , the anxiety peculiar to a case where [the patient]_{3746-the patient} is for ever on the brink of getting worse . To be understood , to be sympathised with , to be loved really and really to love — none of these things would be for [her]_171-anne . But , after all , what right had [she]_171-anne to any of them ? [Anne]_171-anne was , in all matters concerning [herself]_171-anne , [a born fatalist and pessimist]_{3747-a born fatalist and pessimist} ; the words of [Goethe]_240-goethe , “ Entbehren sollst du , sollst entbehren , ”_[240-goethe] were to [her]_171-anne not an admonition , but a mere statement of fact . [She]_171-anne had , for a time , fancied that [she]_171-anne clutched happiness ; if it had turned out , like the goddess clutched by [Ixion]_485-ixion , a mere mist , why , that was quite natural ; there was nothing to complain of in that . But suddenly there came a sense not any longer of the loss of happiness , but of a sickened revolt from all the things which this sacrifice of happiness implied . Not to love , not to be loved . Well , that was natural ; but to submit to becoming the property of [a man whom [she]_171-anne did not love , and who could not , in [her]_171-anne eyes , ever love [her]_171-anne]_{3748-a man whom she did not love , and who could not , in her eyes , ever love her} , that was another thing . [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis and [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , learned in such matters , had been perfectly correct when [they]_3749-they declared that [Anne]_171-anne was , in [their]_3749-they sense of the word , passionless , cold . To [this woman]_{5573-this woman} , consumed by intellectual and moral passion , [her]_171-anne womanhood meant merely the instincts of superior chastity , of superior soul cleanness , which seem the birthright of [women]_3959-women , as the instincts of superior generosity , of superior soul energy , seem the birthright of [men]_4644-men ; and this , to [her]_171-anne the only result of womanhood , merely added a positive element of repulsion to the disdain for what [the world]_{496-the world} is pleased to call love already existing in [her]_171-anne . [Anne Brown]_171-anne , born of [the people]_{871-the people} , grown up as [a servant]_{4125-a servant} , left to take care of [herself]_171-anne when scarcely more than [a child]_{623-a child} , and then thrust into the midst of a demoralised school of literature which gloried in moral indifference,—Anne [Brown]_171-anne had none of those misty notions of marriage so easily transfigured into poetry , and which make ( and perhaps fortunately ) [many clean‐souled and disdainful girls]_{3757-many clean‐souled and disdainful girls} enter unconsciously and unabashed upon a life frequently neither very noble nor very clean . Without formulating it to [herself]_171-anne — for [she]_171-anne never formulated anything — [Miss Brown]_171-anne had a very strong sense that marriage without love was a mere legalised form of prostitution . To become , therefore , [the wife of [Hamlin]_144-hamlin]_{6289-the wife of hamlin} , was an intolerable self‐degradation — nay , a pollution ; for it seemed to [her]_171-anne , and the idea sickened [her]_171-anne whole soul , that the moral pollution of [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha would be communicated to [her]_171-anne . To become [the wife of [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s lover]_{3759-the wife of sacha ’s lover} ! [Her]_171-anne limbs seemed to give way , to dissolve ; a horrible warm clamminess overtook [her]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne could not breathe , or breathed only horror . [Anne]_171-anne rose from [her]_171-anne bed , and wrapping [herself]_171-anne in [her]_171-anne dressing‐gown , sat down by the window , partly ajar . [She]_171-anne threw it wide open , pulled up the blinds , and , gasping , looked out into the darkness . The sky was covered , not a ray of light ; it was raining — [she]_171-anne heard the drops fall heavily on the leaves under the window ; a warm damp gust of air blew in [her]_171-anne face . [Anne]_171-anne did not know what it was to faint , and [her]_171-anne limbs did not give way beneath [her]_171-anne ; but [she]_171-anne felt as if [her]_171-anne mind , [her]_171-anne soul , were fainting , growing clammy — slipping , slipping away , dissolving into nothingness . To be [the wife of [[Sacha]_386-sacha ’s lover]_{3761-sacha ’s lover}]_{3759-the wife of sacha ’s lover} ! With the scornful aversion which [a woman of actively chaste nature]_{3762-a woman of actively chaste nature} ( for the virtue exists in [most women]_{2710-most women} only in a negative , passive condition ) experiences for the more abstract idea of weakness and unchastity , was mingled — perhaps not very clearly to [herself]_171-anne — somewhat already of the wrath of [the outraged wife]_{3764-the outraged wife} . Under [her]_171-anne very eyes , before all [the world]_{496-the world} , [Hamlin]_144-hamlin had deceived [her]_171-anne — had been [[another woman]_{4381-another woman} ’s lover]_{3767-another woman ’s lover} — and had let [her]_171-anne associate with [[his]_144-hamlin mistress]_{1072-his mistress} ! the kind of resentment which [the world]_{496-the world} sometimes mistakes for jealousy , but into which there enters no love,—the sense not of being neglected as [an individual]_{3770-an individual} , but being insulted as [a woman]_{3960-a woman} . To be [the wife of [[Sacha]_386-sacha ’s lover]_{3761-sacha ’s lover}]_{3759-the wife of sacha ’s lover} ! [Anne]_171-anne ’s imagination — slow in all things , and slowest where any ignoble or impure thing was concerned — was trailed as by an inexplicable force along a dim tract of foulness . No ; [she]_171-anne could not marry [this man]_{1239-this man} . [She]_171-anne had no right to forego [her]_171-anne just resentment , to stifle [her]_171-anne just disgust , no right to degrade [her]_171-anne soul in order to save [his]_{1239-this man} . If [he]_{1239-this man} was weak , vain , foredoomed to baseness , let [him]_{1239-this man} run [his]_{1239-this man} career — fulfil [his]_{1239-this man} destiny . Some sacrifices are sins . Without identifying the case , [Anne]_171-anne ’s thoughts reverted to the story , to the words of [Isabella]_{366-la belle heaulmière} in ‘ Measure for Measure ’ ; and the pride that lay at the bottom of [her]_171-anne soul — the pride of purity and strength — rose like a great wind within [her]_171-anne . No ; [she]_171-anne would not pollute [her]_171-anne cleanness , prostitute [her]_171-anne nobility , for [this man]_{1239-this man} . [Anne]_171-anne folded [her]_171-anne dressing‐gown close about [her]_171-anne , and extended [her]_171-anne strong fingers tight over the arms of [her]_171-anne chair — a movement like that of [a judge about to pronounce a sentence]_{3776-a judge about to pronounce a sentence} . [Any one who could have seen [her]_171-anne sitting thus by the window]_{3777-any one who could have seen her sitting thus by the window} — [who could have seen that pale stern face , those wide‐opened onyx‐grey eyes looking steadfastly into the darkness]_{3778-who could have seen that pale stern face , those wide‐opened onyx‐grey eyes looking steadfastly into the darkness} — would have said that [this magnificent young woman with the tragic features was capable of cold cruelty]_{3779-this magnificent young woman with the tragic features was capable of cold cruelty} . But though in some measure right , since there is a destructive element in [all strong souls]_{3780-all strong souls} , [the person who should have thought like this]_{3781-the person who should have thought like this} would yet have been mistaken . [Anne]_171-anne ’s ruthlessness , [her]_171-anne cruelty , could exist only against [herself]_171-anne ; the sacrifice , which seemed to [her]_171-anne no very great matter , was the sacrifice of [herself]_171-anne . [Anne]_171-anne remained seated for a few minutes by the window , that storm of pride and contempt rushing in great gusts through [her]_171-anne whole nature . But then suddenly the storm dropped . Here was [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , to whom [she]_171-anne owed everything , owed this very soul which seemed too good to be wasted upon [him]_144-hamlin , in danger of being degraded for ever by [this loathsome woman]_{3782-this loathsome woman} , this incarnation of all [his]_144-hamlin own vices , this moral disease become [a human creature]_{3783-a human creature} . This fate must be averted , [Hamlin]_144-hamlin must be saved , for [his]_144-hamlin own sake and for the sake of [the world]_{496-the world} — of all those nobler things that [he]_144-hamlin might still do ; [he]_144-hamlin must be saved , and only one thing could save [him]_144-hamlin — hence that one thing must be done . [Anne]_171-anne rose from the window . This darkness unnerved [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne struck a light and lit the candles on the mantelpiece ; they were in clustered candlesticks , and [the room]_{574-the room} was brilliantly illuminated . [Anne]_171-anne looked round [her]_171-anne . There was a heap of books and papers on [her]_171-anne table,—she had been interrupted in tidying them the previous day . [She]_171-anne began to put them to rights . Some of the books were the manuals of political economy and works on philosophy which [she]_171-anne was studying with a view to [Girton]_58-girton . The sight of them made a knot rise in [her]_171-anne throat and the tears come into [her]_171-anne eyes . [She]_171-anne felt that [she]_171-anne would never read them again . [She]_171-anne took them in [her]_171-anne arms , and opening the lowest drawer of [her]_171-anne writing‐table , locked them up . “ [I]_171-anne will give them to [[Marjory]_249-marjory ’s women]_{6896-marjory ’s women} ’s club , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne thought . Then [she]_171-anne opened another drawer , and got out all [her]_171-anne note‐books and copy‐books,—her many months ’ work , ever since [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} had first lent [her]_171-anne [his]_{223-richard brown} primer . [She]_171-anne turned over a few pages slowly . The sentences seemed to have no meaning ; [her]_171-anne brain refused to act . [She]_171-anne took the papers one by one and tore them into small shreds , and threw them into the waste‐paper basket . “ There is an end of that , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said to [herself]_171-anne quietly . [Anne]_171-anne looked round [the room]_{574-the room} once more,—at the spruce Queen Anne furniture which had surprised [her]_171-anne so much , at the blue and white vases , the shimmering plates , the pieces of embroidery on the wall — all the things which [Hamlin]_144-hamlin had put there to please [her]_171-anne . Was there anything more — anything more to be done ? On the mantelpiece stood a photograph of [Richard Brown]_{223-richard brown} , unframed , which [he]_{223-richard brown} had recently given [her]_171-anne : [she]_171-anne had asked [him]_{223-richard brown} for a photograph during [Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s absence with [Sacha]_386-sacha . [She]_171-anne took the photograph and held it over one of the candles ; it curled up , charred , only the rim which [she]_171-anne held remaining to show what it had been ; [she]_171-anne turned it round and round over the flame , and then threw the crumpled piece of charred pasteboard into the grate . The first pale light of dawn was beginning to mingle with the light of the candles , making them burn yellow , and surrounded by a sort of halo , like the tapers round a catafalque . Outside [she]_171-anne saw the chilly grey streaks of light , the faint cold rose veinings of sunrise . But the sunrise itself did not come ; the sky gradually appeared , clotted with red and purplish reflections ; then the colour died away , and there remained instead a pale , suffused , grey heaven . It began to drizzle . [Anne]_171-anne left the window . [The room]_{574-the room} was light now with daylight — the candle‐flames mere yellow specks . [Anne]_171-anne put them out ; [she]_171-anne pulled down the blinds and got into bed , and again stretched [herself]_171-anne out in that stiff way , [her]_171-anne head propped up on the pillows , trying not to think . In a few minutes [she]_171-anne was asleep . When [the maid]_{4505-the maid} came in , [she]_{4505-the maid} did not wake up as usual , and [the girl]_{583-the girl} was half‐frightened and very much awed by seeing [Miss Brown]_171-anne lying straight and motionless ; [her]_171-anne face , surrounded by a sort of wreath of short , curling , iron‐black locks , stiff on the pillow , looking , in the grey morning light which came through the pale‐blue blinds , like [a dead woman]_{5734-a dead woman} . [Anne]_171-anne opened [her]_171-anne eyes and looked round slowly , as if trying to collect [her]_171-anne thoughts . “ Ah , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , half audibly , “ [I]_171-anne remember . ”_[171-anne] BY an effort of manœuvring which was not very natural to [her]_171-anne , [Miss Brown]_171-anne induced [Melton Perry]_152-perry to take [himself]_152-perry off after breakfast and go and see [some studios]_{3791-some studios} , an expedition which would keep [him]_152-perry out of the way till lunch . [She]_171-anne would have [Hamlin]_144-hamlin all to [herself]_171-anne . When [Perry]_152-perry was gone , [Anne]_171-anne sat down to write to [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} , who was in [the country]_{945-the country} . There was absolutely no reason why [she]_171-anne should write to [Mary]_{324-mary leigh} , nor had [she]_{324-mary leigh} anything whatever to tell [her]_{324-mary leigh} ; but [she]_171-anne was devoured by a restlessness — by a vague desire to talk to [some one who cared for [her]_171-anne]_{3793-some one who cared for her} . [She]_171-anne told [Mary Leigh]_{324-mary leigh} nothing of what was passing through [her]_171-anne mind , nor of the event which was pending : there was not , in [her]_171-anne letter , a word to suggest anything of the sort ; but there was in it the expression , vague and without motives , of the great emotion which occupied [her]_171-anne soul . “ [I]_171-anne want to tell [you]_{324-mary leigh} , [dear Mary]_{324-mary leigh} , ”_[171-anne] wrote [Anne]_171-anne , “ how grateful [I]_171-anne am for the affection which [you]_{324-mary leigh} and [Marjory]_249-marjory have shown towards [me]_171-anne lately . If [I]_171-anne had died of that illness , it would have been a great consolation to know that [you]_{324-mary leigh} cared for [me]_171-anne so much . ”_[171-anne] [She]_171-anne did not know why , the tone of the whole letter , with all these expressions of gratitude , had the solemnity of a farewell , as if written by [a woman who expected to die soon]_{3794-a woman who expected to die soon} . And [Anne]_171-anne really felt as if [her]_171-anne life were coming to an end . When [she]_171-anne had finished writing , [she]_171-anne went down to [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s studio]_{1127-hamlin ’s studio} . [He]_144-hamlin would come soon , and [she]_171-anne would wait for [him]_144-hamlin here . It was still drizzling , and [the room opening on to [the garden]_{675-the garden}]_{3796-the room opening on to the garden} , with [its]_{675-the garden} silk blinds drawn down , was full of a kind of twilight . [Anne]_171-anne walked up and down for a minute or two , looking vaguely round [her]_171-anne . A drowsy scent of faded flowers , of cigarette‐smoke , of [she]_171-anne knew not what scent , made [her]_171-anne feel weak and dreamy , and reminded [her]_171-anne , with a movement of disgust , of [[Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha ’s rooms]_{3798-sacha elaguine ’s rooms} . [She]_171-anne had not been in [the studio]_{795-the studio} of late , except for a few minutes at a time . Everything seemed to [her]_171-anne untidy and dusty — easels and boards thrown about in a way which was not usual with [Hamlin]_144-hamlin . [She]_171-anne looked vaguely at the various things,—at the drawings by [Rossetti]_381-rossetti and [Burne Jones]_{382-burne jones} on the walls , the books in cases , the terra cottas and bits of carving on brackets , the piano with the brocade cover thrown back , and the score of [Wagner]_486-wagner ’s Tristram still on the desk . [She]_171-anne looked at the score and played a few notes , but stopped . [She]_171-anne loathed that music which [Hamlin]_144-hamlin and [Sacha]_386-sacha so admired — that music , with its strange , insidious faintings and sobbings , its hot , enervating gusts of passion . On the mantelpiece , among the Japanese jars , the bronze lamps , and other similar properties , [her]_171-anne eye caught a small bottle of blue glass . [She]_171-anne took it up : it was not labelled , or the label was removed , but it left a sort of sickly‐smelling stickiness on [her]_171-anne fingers . So [Perry]_152-perry was right ; [Hamlin]_144-hamlin had returned to [his]_144-hamlin old practice of taking opium . [She]_171-anne put the bottle back , and walked up and down once more . Then [her]_171-anne eye fell upon an unfinished portrait of [herself]_171-anne , or what was intended to be [herself]_171-anne , which stood in the shadow . [A solemn sombre woman in green , with very blue peaks and glaciers in the distance]_{3800-a solemn sombre woman in green , with very blue peaks and glaciers in the distance} , twisting the faded green leaves of a palm‐branch . It was the picture which [Hamlin]_144-hamlin had begun long , long ago in [Florence]_6-florence ; and [her]_171-anne mind went back to that other rainy day , as gloomy as this one , seemingly centuries ago , when [she]_171-anne had stood in [the tower studio]_{3801-the tower studio} , about to take leave of [Hamlin]_144-hamlin , as [she]_171-anne thought , for the last time . Was [she]_171-anne really as sombre as that picture ? thought [Anne]_171-anne . On a table , gritty with dust , lay an open sketch‐book ; [Anne]_171-anne took it up listlessly . The sheet was scrawled with several versions of an allegorical design , feebly drawn , scarcely more than outlined , and , as it seemed , in a moment of weariness . [A beautiful naked youth]_{3802-a beautiful naked youth} was clutched by [a huge , haggard woman]_{3803-a huge , haggard woman} , [her]_{3803-a huge , haggard woman} torn dress licking [his]_{3802-a beautiful naked youth} body like flames , [her]_{3803-a huge , haggard woman} lips greedily advancing to [his]_{3802-a beautiful naked youth} delicate face , which shrank back , like a flower withering in the heat of a furnace . There were several versions , crossing and recrossing each other oddly , but always [the same flower‐like winged boy writhing in the terrible breath of this embrace , always that fainting beautiful face , and those burning lips with the suction of flame]_{3804-the same flower‐like winged boy writhing in the terrible breath of this embrace , always that fainting beautiful face , and those burning lips with the suction of flame} . Beneath one of the versions was scrawled , “ Amor a Libidine interfectus , ”_[171-anne] and a few lines , half scratched out , of a sonnet . [Anne]_171-anne did not read them ; [she]_171-anne put down the sketch‐book . [She]_171-anne knew the sense of that allegory , even before [her]_171-anne eye caught the words , “ and thus [my]_171-anne soul , ”_[171-anne] which formed one of the lines of the rough‐scrawled sonnet . [Anne]_171-anne shuddered . Steps came along [the corridor]_{3805-the corridor} — [[Hamlin]_144-hamlin ’s steps]_{3806-hamlin ’s steps} . [She]_171-anne sat down near the window , for [she]_171-anne expected [her]_171-anne heart would have begun beating even to bursting . But it was not so ; [Miss Brown]_171-anne felt wonderfully calm . “ [I]_171-anne want to talk to [you]_144-hamlin about something , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , when [he]_144-hamlin had recovered from the surprise of finding [her]_171-anne in [the studio]_{795-the studio} . “ [You]_144-hamlin have nothing very pressing to do just now , [I]_171-anne hope ? ”_[171-anne] “ Nothing , ”_[145-hamlin] answered [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “ [I]_144-hamlin am at [your]_171-anne disposal . ”_[144-hamlin] [He]_144-hamlin sat down opposite to [her]_171-anne , and began to fidget with the pencils and pen‐knives lying on the table . [He]_144-hamlin was very pale , haggard , and looked tired and worried . “ [You]_144-hamlin do n’t seem well , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne , mechanically . “ [I]_144-hamlin am horribly nervous , that ’s all , ”_[144-hamlin] [he]_144-hamlin answered , passing [his]_144-hamlin hand through [his]_144-hamlin hair . “ [I]_144-hamlin suppose it ’s this damp heat . Will it annoy [you]_171-anne if [I]_144-hamlin smoke a cigarette ? [I]_144-hamlin feel [my]_144-hamlin brain spinning . ”_[144-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne nodded , and waited in silence till [he]_144-hamlin had taken two or three puffs . “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne suddenly began , in a low , steady voice , rather like [a person reciting a lesson]_{3808-a person reciting a lesson} , “ it is going on three years since [I]_171-anne left [Coblenz]_51-coblenz and came into [this house]_{4073-this house} . [I]_171-anne am over twenty‐four , and [I]_171-anne do n’t think it is possible to continue much longer on the theory that [I]_171-anne am [[your]_171-anne ward]_{1692-your ward} . It is time that something should be decided about [my]_171-anne future . ”_[171-anne] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin listened quietly , with a certain listless and helpless look that was very painful . “ [I]_145-hamlin quite agree with [you]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin answered , “ and [I]_145-hamlin fully see how greatly [I]_145-hamlin am to blame in not having forestalled [you]_171-anne . [You]_171-anne must not suppose that [I]_145-hamlin have not thought more than once about this matter . [I]_145-hamlin have done so , [I]_145-hamlin assure [you]_171-anne . But somehow , things have always come in the way ; and then , [you]_171-anne know , [I]_145-hamlin — [I]_145-hamlin did not wish to put any pressure upon [you]_171-anne . In short , [I]_145-hamlin am unable to say how it is that [I]_145-hamlin have placed [myself]_145-hamlin in what may appear to be the wrong in this matter . ”_[145-hamlin] Again [he]_145-hamlin passed [his]_145-hamlin hand across [his]_145-hamlin head . “ Forgive [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ for being so feeble this morning . [I]_145-hamlin really have a wretched headache . ”_[145-hamlin] “ [I]_171-anne am very sorry for [you]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] answered [Anne]_171-anne , but adding with the same deliberate resolution , “ but all the same , [I]_145-hamlin feel that [I]_145-hamlin can no longer delay , and that [I]_145-hamlin must avail [myself]_145-hamlin of this opportunity to ask [you]_145-hamlin a question . Have [you]_145-hamlin any intention of marrying [me]_145-hamlin ? ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , who had been sitting with [his]_145-hamlin head resting on [his]_145-hamlin hand , vacantly watching the wreathing smoke of [his]_145-hamlin cigarette , suddenly looked up at [Anne]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne was seated very erect in a high‐backed chair opposite , looking taller , calmer than ever , less girlish than ever also , although [he]_145-hamlin had never thought of [her]_171-anne , even years ago , as [a girl]_{4122-a girl} . [He]_145-hamlin looked at [her]_171-anne for a moment in silence ; a long , lingering , and very melancholy look . “ [Miss Brown]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin answered , and [his]_145-hamlin voice became tremulous towards the end of [his]_145-hamlin speech , “ [you]_171-anne have , if [you]_171-anne remember the terms of [our]_6899-our reciprocal engagement , always been free ; and [you]_171-anne are free . It is rather sad for [me]_145-hamlin to reflect — and perhaps a little sad for [you]_171-anne also — how very differently things have turned out from what [I]_145-hamlin believe both of [us]_6899-our anticipated . And it is , as [you]_171-anne may understand , not a little sad to part with what has been the best thing in [my]_145-hamlin life — to end [my]_145-hamlin best episode . But [you]_171-anne must remember that [I]_145-hamlin never wished [you]_171-anne to be otherwise than perfectly independent ; it has been a great matter in a useless life like [mine]_145-hamlin to have contributed to reinstate [you]_171-anne , as it were , in [your]_171-anne birthright ; it will be something to think of later , that [I]_145-hamlin have been conducive in making [you]_171-anne what [you]_171-anne are ; [and”—Hamlin]_{145-hamlin[145-hamlin]} had risen from [his]_3810-his chair and stretched out [his]_3810-his hand—“will [you]_171-anne believe [me]_145-hamlin also when [I]_145-hamlin say that [I]_145-hamlin am very , very happy that [you]_171-anne have found [a man whom [you]_171-anne can love and respect]_{6900-a man whom you can love and respect} , and who can make [you]_171-anne happy ? ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s mouth , that delicate mouth with the uncertain lines , began to quiver . [Anne]_171-anne turned very red , and then , suddenly , very white . [She]_171-anne did not take [his]_145-hamlin hand ; [she]_171-anne did not look at [him]_145-hamlin as [he]_145-hamlin stood before [her]_171-anne ; [her]_171-anne eyes seemed fixed in space , as [she]_171-anne answered in a voice which became steadier and louder as [she]_171-anne went on — “ [You]_145-hamlin do n’t understand [me]_171-anne . [I]_171-anne was not alluding to any notion of marrying [[my]_171-anne cousin]_{4336-my cousin} . [I]_171-anne do n’t want to marry [Richard]_{223-richard brown} . What [I]_171-anne want to ask [you]_145-hamlin is this : Will [you]_145-hamlin marry [me]_171-anne , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne , spoke very slowly , gravely , and calmly ; but as [she]_171-anne spoke , [she]_171-anne felt [her]_171-anne heart tighten . There remained still one chance , one shred of hope , and in another moment that might be gone . A sudden convulsion passed over [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s face ; [he]_145-hamlin caught at the back of a chair , for [he]_145-hamlin seemed trembling and reeling , [his]_145-hamlin eyes closed for a moment as if [he]_145-hamlin were choking , and [he]_145-hamlin made a vague helpless movement with one hand , as [a man who can not speak]_{3811-a man who can not speak} . Then , suddenly , [he]_145-hamlin flung [himself]_145-hamlin down before [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s chair , seized both [her]_171-anne hands , and covered [his]_145-hamlin face with them . “ [Anne]_171-anne — [Anne]_171-anne ! ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin cried . [They]_3812-they remained thus for a moment ; [she]_171-anne seated upright in the chair , [he]_145-hamlin on [his]_145-hamlin knees , [her]_171-anne hands pressed to [his]_145-hamlin face . “ [Anne]_171-anne — [you]_171-anne love [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin murmured . [Miss Brown]_171-anne did not answer . [She]_171-anne looked straight before [her]_171-anne into space , fixedly , vaguely , taking in nothing , with [her]_171-anne solemn , tearless , grey eyes . [She]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne were waiting [she]_171-anne knew not for what , counting the tickings of an unheard clock . “ [You]_171-anne love [me]_145-hamlin , [Anne]_171-anne ; [you]_171-anne love [me]_145-hamlin ! ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , louder ; and pressing closer to [her]_171-anne , [he]_145-hamlin put out [his]_145-hamlin arms , and drew down [her]_171-anne face to [his]_145-hamlin , and kissed [her]_171-anne , twice , thrice , a long kiss on the mouth . It seemed to [Anne]_171-anne as if [she]_171-anne felt again the throttling arms of [Sacha Elaguine]_386-sacha about [her]_171-anne neck , [her]_171-anne convulsive kiss on [her]_171-anne face , the cloud of [her]_171-anne drowsily scented hair stifling [her]_171-anne . [She]_171-anne drew back , and loosened [his]_145-hamlin grasp with [her]_171-anne strong hands . [Hamlin]_145-hamlin sprang up . [His]_145-hamlin face was changed : [he]_145-hamlin was radiant . [He]_145-hamlin took [her]_171-anne hand in both [his]_145-hamlin , and looked long into [her]_171-anne eyes . “ Forgive [me]_145-hamlin , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin whispered ; “ forgive [me]_145-hamlin — oh , forgive [me]_145-hamlin , [Anne]_171-anne . That all this time [I]_145-hamlin should have been so blind — thought [you]_171-anne indifferent and contemptuous . Oh , forgive [me]_145-hamlin for all [my]_145-hamlin wickedness , [my]_145-hamlin folly ; forgive [me]_145-hamlin , [[my]_145-hamlin darling]_{6563-my darling} , for not having understood that [I]_145-hamlin belonged to [you]_171-anne , that [you]_171-anne loved [me]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne nodded without speaking . [She]_171-anne could not tell a lie , even now ; and [she]_171-anne knew [she]_171-anne must not tell the truth . Yet never perhaps had [she]_171-anne loathed [Hamlin]_145-hamlin as [she]_171-anne loathed [him]_145-hamlin — vain , fatuously happy — at this moment that [he]_145-hamlin believed [she]_171-anne had confessed that [she]_171-anne loved [him]_145-hamlin . “ Well , then , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said quickly , “ perhaps [you]_145-hamlin can understand that — after what has passed , [you]_145-hamlin understand — [I]_171-anne am anxious that [we]_6903-we should get married at once . [Perry]_152-perry was asking [me]_171-anne , only the other day , why things had dragged on so long ; and then also there is . . . ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_145-hamlin understand , ”_[145-hamlin] interrupted [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . “ Oh , forgive [me]_145-hamlin , [dearest]_4456-dearest . [I]_145-hamlin never , never really loved [that woman]_{1707-that woman} : [I]_145-hamlin could not have loved [her]_{1707-that woman} . [I]_145-hamlin have never loved but [you]_145-hamlin . Will [you]_145-hamlin believe it ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ [You]_145-hamlin will never see [her]_{1707-that woman} again?—I mean , never except in [my]_171-anne presence ? ”_[171-anne] went on [Anne]_171-anne . “ Will [you]_145-hamlin promise that ? And will [you]_145-hamlin promise to leave [London]_4-london in a day or two — to go to [Italy]_1-italy , anywhere where [she]_{1707-that woman} is not — and wait till [I]_171-anne can join [you]_145-hamlin with [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} ? ”_[171-anne] “ [I]_171-anne promise ; [I]_171-anne will do anything . Oh , [Anne]_171-anne , if only [you]_145-hamlin will forget all that ; if [you]_145-hamlin will believe [me]_171-anne when [I]_171-anne tell [you]_145-hamlin that [I]_171-anne never loved [that woman]_{1707-that woman} — that [I]_171-anne felt the whole time that [she]_{1707-that woman} was debasing , humiliating [me]_171-anne , making [me]_171-anne forfeit all [my]_171-anne honour and [my]_171-anne happiness . . . ”_[171-anne] [Anne]_171-anne paid no attention to these assurances . So [he]_3813-you was shifting all the shame of [his]_3813-you weakness and baseness and sensuality on to another,—washing [his]_3813-you hands of [the woman who had given [herself]_{3814-the woman who had given herself to him} to [him]_3813-you]_{3814-the woman who had given herself to him} . How like [him]_3813-you ! How well , how terribly well , [Anne]_171-anne knew [him]_3813-you ! “ [You]_3813-you have promised , remember , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne repeated,—“you will leave to‐morrow , the day after — as soon as [you]_3813-you can . [You]_3813-you wo n’t tell [her]_{3814-the woman who had given herself to him} where [you]_3813-you are going — do [you]_3813-you understand ? [You]_3813-you will write to‐day , and tell [her]_{3814-the woman who had given herself to him} of [our]_6907-we marriage , and that [you]_3813-you have promised never to see [her]_{3814-the woman who had given herself to him} again . ”_[145-hamlin] [Hamlin]_145-hamlin kissed [her]_171-anne hand with passion . “ And listen , ”_[145-hamlin] went on [Miss Brown]_171-anne ; “ this evening there is a big party at [the Argiropoulos]_{300-the argiropoulos} . [I]_145-hamlin did not intend going ; but [I]_145-hamlin wish to go now . Write to [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} to tell [her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} [we]_6907-we are coming together ; explain that [we]_6907-we are going to be married ; ask [her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} to tell all [[her]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} guests]_{4823-her guests} . [I]_145-hamlin want [every one]_{4712-every one} to know . Do [you]_3813-you understand , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin — [Walter]_145-hamlin , [I]_145-hamlin mean ? [You]_3813-you wo n’t lose time , will [you]_3813-you ? ”_[145-hamlin] “ No , no ! ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ; “ [I]_145-hamlin understand . Only forgive [me]_145-hamlin ; and tell [me]_145-hamlin that [you]_171-anne love [me]_145-hamlin , [[my]_145-hamlin darling]_{6563-my darling} ; ”_[145-hamlin] and [he]_145-hamlin seized [Anne]_171-anne , and kissed [her]_171-anne again with a sort of fury . “ Tell [me]_145-hamlin that [you]_171-anne forgive [me]_145-hamlin for all that [I]_145-hamlin have made [you]_171-anne suffer , [Anne]_171-anne . Speak,—only one word , [Anne]_171-anne — one word . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne covered [her]_171-anne eyes with [her]_171-anne hand . “ [I]_171-anne forgive [you]_145-hamlin , [Walter]_145-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered , and burst into tears . But [she]_171-anne wiped them away , and , rising suddenly , left [the room]_{574-the room} . “ [Walter]_145-hamlin is leaving for [Italy to‐morrow]_1-italy , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , as [she]_171-anne met [Melton Perry]_152-perry in [the corridor]_{3805-the corridor} . “ [I]_171-anne want [you]_152-perry to accompany [me]_171-anne and [Aunt Claudia]_{247-aunt claudia} [there]_4426-there in a few days . [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [I]_171-anne are going to be married . ”_[171-anne] “ God bless [my]_152-perry soul ! ”_[152-perry] cried [Perry]_152-perry . “ When — where — why did n’t [you]_171-anne tell [me]_152-perry before ? ”_[152-perry] But [Anne]_171-anne was out of sight . IN [the blazing drawing‐room]_{3817-the blazing drawing‐room} , where [a crowd of black coats and shining bare shoulders]_{3818-a crowd of black coats and shining bare shoulders} and fashionable dresses contrasted drolly with the melancholy thin Cupids of [Burne Jones]_{382-burne jones} , [the mournful mysterious ladies of [Rossetti]_381-rossetti]_{3819-the mournful mysterious ladies of rossetti} , which adorned the walls , one of [[Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} ’s many musical celebrities]_{3820-mrs argiropoulo ’s many musical celebrities} was wailing Austrian popular songs at the piano . [Miss Brown]_171-anne , who had undergone the universal staring and received the general congratulations with a monosyllabic composure much criticised on all hands , had slipped away , when [the Austrian tenor]_{3821-the austrian tenor} approached the piano , to the furthest end of [the room]_{574-the room} , where [she]_171-anne was half protected from sight by the plants of [an adjacent conservatory]_{3823-an adjacent conservatory} . All this triumph , [people]_577-people said to [themselves]_577-people , as [they]_577-people looked round at [her]_171-anne seated alone in the corner , dressed in a wonderful garment of cloth‐of‐silver , resting [her]_171-anne dark head on [her]_171-anne hand , was too much even for [her]_171-anne . Yet in reality [Miss Brown]_171-anne did not feel any emotion ; [she]_171-anne was too tired for that . [She]_171-anne felt as if [she]_171-anne had just finished a long journey , or as [she]_171-anne used sometimes to do years ago after a hard morning ’s ironing in summer — weary , broken , too numb for thought or for pain . The guttural voice of [the Austrian tenor]_{3821-the austrian tenor} , wailing out the simple little mountain songs , which would at any other time have brought the tears into [her]_171-anne eyes and a thought of death into [her]_171-anne heart , seemed to [her]_171-anne vague and distant like a voice in a dream ; and like [a crowd seen through a mist]_{3826-a crowd seen through a mist} seemed all [these very concrete men]_{3827-these very concrete men} and [women]_3959-women all about [her]_171-anne . As the last notes of the song died away , [she]_171-anne felt the touch of a fan , the downy stroke of a bunch of feathers , on [her]_171-anne neck . It was [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} behind [her]_171-anne ; but the sight of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} caused [Anne]_171-anne no emotion , and [she]_171-anne followed [the Russian woman , who beckoned [her]_171-anne into [the neighbouring conservatory]_{3830-the neighbouring conservatory} , in the same absent way as [she]_171-anne had answered the congratulations of [[her]_171-anne acquaintances]_{3831-her acquaintances}]_{3829-the russian woman , who beckoned her into the neighbouring conservatory , in the same absent way as she had answered the congratulations of her acquaintances} . “ [You]_171-anne are very tired , [[Annie]_171-anne dear]_{6627-annie dear} , ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} said [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , in one of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} caressing half‐whispers , but fixing [her]_{360-madame elaguine} eyes on [Miss Brown]_171-anne with a look which was anything but a caress . “ All this emotion — this general ovation and triumph , this great joy of satisfied love — has been too much for [you]_171-anne , [poor child]_{4378-poor child} ! ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [Anne]_171-anne shook [her]_171-anne head , thrown back on the Persian embroidery of an ottoman , among the large tropical leaves and the delicate stems of bamboos and fern plants . [She]_171-anne knew that [this woman]_{5573-this woman} wished to insult [her]_171-anne ; but [she]_171-anne was too weary and absent‐minded to care . “ [I]_171-anne am merely rather tired . [I]_171-anne did n’t get much sleep last night , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne answered , as [she]_171-anne might have answered [the maid who pulled up [her]_171-anne blinds in the morning]_{3833-the maid who pulled up her blinds in the morning} . [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} seemed a hundred miles away from [her]_{360-madame elaguine} : [she]_{360-madame elaguine} shrank neither from [a woman whom [she]_{360-madame elaguine} loathed]_{3834-a woman whom she loathed} , nor from [a woman who , [she]_{360-madame elaguine} felt , was bent upon insulting [her]_{360-madame elaguine}]_{3835-a woman who , she felt , was bent upon insulting her} . [She]_{360-madame elaguine} did not feel [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s glance , although the glance was concentrated hatred and outrage . “ [Poor child]_{4378-poor child} ! ”_[386-sacha] repeated [Sacha]_386-sacha , taking one of [her]_{360-madame elaguine} hands and pressing it between [her]_386-sacha own burning ones . “ [Poor child]_{4378-poor child} ! Ah , well , [I]_386-sacha wo n’t bore [you]_{4378-poor child} with congratulations . [I]_386-sacha know [Walter]_145-hamlin sufficiently well to know how happy [he]_145-hamlin will make [you]_{4378-poor child} ; and [I]_386-sacha know how deeply [you]_{4378-poor child} have loved [him]_145-hamlin all the while , and how faithfully [he]_145-hamlin has always loved [you]_{4378-poor child} . But [I]_386-sacha want to give [you]_{4378-poor child} a little wedding‐present . [I]_386-sacha have brought it here , because [Walter]_145-hamlin has written to [me]_386-sacha that [you]_{4378-poor child} do n’t want to have [your]_{4378-poor child} bliss disturbed , and are going off at once . Quite right . When [people]_577-people are very happy , there ’s something immodest in letting [the world]_{496-the world} see it and be jealous ; that ’s the classic view , is n’t it ? ”_[386-sacha] As [she]_3836-i spoke [she]_3836-i drew from out of [her]_3836-i cloud of lace and feather trimmings a little leathern case . “ Oh dear no , ”_[3836-i] went on [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , “ [you]_{4378-poor child} must n’t think [I]_3836-i ’ve been ruining [myself]_3836-i . [I]_3836-i ’m far too much of [a pauper]_{6610-a pauper} and far too selfish to go making handsome presents . It does n’t cost [me]_3836-i anything , [you]_{4378-poor child} see , for [Walter]_145-hamlin gave [me]_3836-i them last month ; and as [I]_3836-i really do n’t care a jackstraw about pearls , and [I]_3836-i accepted them merely to please [him]_145-hamlin , [I]_3836-i think it ’s much better [you]_{4378-poor child} should have them to make the set complete , since [you]_{4378-poor child} have the necklace . ”_[3836-i] The case contained two large pearl ear‐rings , which [Anne]_171-anne immediately recognised as part of the set once belonging to [[Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s mother]_{5111-hamlin ’s mother} which [he]_145-hamlin had shown [her]_171-anne long ago at [Wotton]_94-wotton . Round [her]_171-anne own neck was the former [Mrs Hamlin]_388-hamlin ’s pearl necklace ; [he]_145-hamlin had given it to [her]_171-anne that evening , not a fortnight , perhaps , since giving [Sacha]_386-sacha the ear‐rings . [Anne]_171-anne looked at the ear‐rings for a moment , feeling the triumphant eyes of [Sacha]_386-sacha upon [her]_171-anne ; [she]_171-anne felt also [her]_171-anne face grow crimson , and [her]_171-anne soul waking out of its state of lethargic indifference , with a fierce desire to tear the pearls off [her]_171-anne own throat , and crush them into the carpet with [her]_171-anne foot . “ Thank [you]_386-sacha , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne merely said , closing the box and handing it back to [Sacha]_386-sacha ; “ [I]_171-anne do n’t think [I]_171-anne could wear them , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . And [I]_171-anne do n’t think [[my]_171-anne husband]_{4038-my husband} would wish [me]_171-anne to wear them , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne added , but the words half stuck in [her]_171-anne throat . “ Wo n’t [you]_171-anne , really ? ”_{[5582-the russian]} said [the Russian]_{5582-the russian} . “ [I]_{5582-the russian} assure [you]_171-anne [Walter]_145-hamlin will be most mortified if [he]_145-hamlin hear that [you]_171-anne have refused them . It would be a hundred pities that the set should be spoilt . [I]_{5582-the russian} would n’t have taken these , if [he]_145-hamlin had n’t told [me]_{5582-the russian} that [I]_{5582-the russian} should have the rest . [You]_171-anne see , [I]_{5582-the russian} was [the nearest of kin]_{6920-the nearest of kin} last month . And [I]_{5582-the russian} ’m sure it would make poor [Aunt Philippa]_{487-aunt philippa} turn in [her]_{487-aunt philippa} grave to know that all [her]_{487-aunt philippa} things did not go to [Miss Anne Brown]_171-anne . Ah , well — as [you]_171-anne like . [I]_{5582-the russian} can always get them exchanged at [the jeweller]_{6921-the jeweller} ’s for something else — or [I]_{5582-the russian} ’ll tell [Walter]_145-hamlin , and [he]_145-hamlin can buy them back for [you]_171-anne . That ’s more like [a pauper]_{6610-a pauper} ’s proceeding . ”_{[5582-the russian]} “ Thank [you]_{360-madame elaguine} , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne , preparing to rise , “ [I]_171-anne think [I]_171-anne ought to go and talk to some of [the people in [the next room]_{3870-the next room}]_{6923-the people in the next room} . ”_[171-anne] But [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} laid hold of [her]_171-anne wrist . “ Do n’t go yet , [[my]_{360-madame elaguine} dear [Madonna of the Glaciers]_{488-madonna of the glaciers}]_{6925-my dear madonna of the glaciers} — [I]_{360-madame elaguine} sha n’t see [you]_171-anne again , perhaps , for a long while , and [I]_{360-madame elaguine} want [you]_171-anne to tell [me]_{360-madame elaguine} some things . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} ’m a horrible ill‐bred little creature , [I]_{360-madame elaguine} know , but [I]_{360-madame elaguine} ca n’t help it . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} ’ve always had a lot of morbid curiosities . One of them is how love‐marriages are made up — how it all comes about . [You]_171-anne see [I]_{360-madame elaguine} was n’t married for love — [I]_{360-madame elaguine} was married for money by [[my]_{360-madame elaguine} Russian relations]_{6926-my russian relations} . But [I]_{360-madame elaguine} always think [I]_{360-madame elaguine} should like to know about [love‐marriages]_{6927-love‐marriages} . Tell [me]_{360-madame elaguine} what [Walter]_145-hamlin said to [you]_171-anne — how [he]_145-hamlin did it . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} wish [I]_{360-madame elaguine} ’d seen it . ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [Anne]_171-anne ’s face was burning . Each of [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} ’s words was a piece of insolence . “ Did [you]_171-anne always love [him]_145-hamlin — ever since the beginning — ever since [he]_145-hamlin sent [you]_171-anne to [school]_1094-school ; and have [you]_171-anne always gone on caring for [him]_145-hamlin in the same way ? ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} went on [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . “ [Fancy]_489-fancy , [I]_{360-madame elaguine} thought [you]_171-anne did n’t care much for [Walter]_145-hamlin , almost disliked [him]_145-hamlin ; [I]_{360-madame elaguine} almost thought [you]_171-anne were in love with [[your]_171-anne big black cousin]_{6929-your big black cousin} . It was like [[my]_{360-madame elaguine} obtuseness]_{6930-my obtuseness} ! Do tell [me]_{360-madame elaguine} all about it . . . ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} “ There is nothing to tell [you]_{360-madame elaguine} , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , ”_[171-anne] said [Anne]_171-anne . “ [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [I]_171-anne are going to be married , that ’s all . ”_[171-anne] “ In short , ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} answered [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , bursting into an angry laugh , “ [you]_171-anne thought better of it ; [you]_171-anne learned to appreciate the satisfaction of getting [a handsome husband]_{6931-a handsome husband} , with a good name and a good fortune . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} think [you]_171-anne are quite right . [[Mrs Hamlin]_388-hamlin of [Wotton]_94-wotton]_{6932-mrs hamlin of wotton} sounds better than [Mrs Richard Brown]_{490-richard brown} . Or else are [you]_171-anne still sufficiently human to enjoy making [a man]_{503-a man} give the cold shoulder to [another woman]_{4381-another woman} ? [I]_{360-madame elaguine} fear [I]_{360-madame elaguine} must spoil [your]_171-anne satisfaction in this . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} have never cared a button for [Walter]_145-hamlin . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} would not have married [Walter]_145-hamlin for anything [you]_171-anne could offer [me]_{360-madame elaguine} ; [I]_{360-madame elaguine} only cared to bring down [his]_145-hamlin pride a little , in remembrance of the days when [his]_145-hamlin great virtue of seventeen had [me]_{360-madame elaguine} turned out of [[[my]_{360-madame elaguine} uncle]_{1942-my uncle} ’s house]_{6936-my uncle ’s house} , like [a housemaid who has made love with [the butler]_{6938-the butler}]_{6937-a housemaid who has made love with the butler} . As to [Walter]_145-hamlin [himself]_145-hamlin , [you]_171-anne are welcome to [him]_145-hamlin , though [I]_{360-madame elaguine} do n’t promise that some day the whim may not return to [me]_{360-madame elaguine} to amuse [myself]_{360-madame elaguine} a little more at [his]_145-hamlin expense . ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [Miss Brown]_171-anne looked at [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} with disgust : [this delicate charming little creature]_{3839-this delicate charming little creature} seemed suddenly transformed into [[Mrs Perry]_146-perry ’s housemaid [Beppa]_491-beppa , whom [she]_{360-madame elaguine} had overtaken one day , years ago in [Florence]_6-florence , browbeating and insulting [[the laundress]_{3841-the laundress} ’s girl]_{3842-the laundress ’s girl} , accusing [her]_{3842-the laundress ’s girl} of trying to get between [herself]_{3842-the laundress ’s girl} and [the man‐cook]_{3843-the man‐cook}]_{3840-mrs perry ’s housemaid beppa , whom she had overtaken one day , years ago in florence , browbeating and insulting the laundress ’s girl , accusing her of trying to get between herself and the man‐cook} . “ All this is very useless and disagreeable , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said , rising to go . “ Good‐bye , [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} . ”_[171-anne] But [Sacha]_386-sacha laid [her]_386-sacha hand on [Miss Brown]_171-anne ’s arm . “ [I]_386-sacha see , ”_[386-sacha] [she]_386-sacha said , “ [[your]_171-anne friend]_{4335-your friend} and [former master [Mr Perry]_152-perry]_{6940-former master mr perry} has been entertaining [you]_171-anne with anecdotes of [my]_386-sacha life , and perhaps [Edmund Lewis]_353-lewis has been doing so also . Very shocking , were n’t [they]_6941-they ? Well , [I]_386-sacha wo n’t insult [you]_171-anne any longer with [my]_386-sacha presence . But [I]_386-sacha think it ’s as well that [you]_171-anne should know in time that if [I]_386-sacha have been in the mud according to [your]_171-anne ideas , [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin has been into it with [me]_386-sacha . It ’s rather difficult to make such things clear to [a Madonna of the Glaciers]_{6942-a madonna of the glaciers} , but perhaps [Mr Perry]_152-perry will help [you]_171-anne to understand the matter . To put it plainly , ever since [you]_171-anne fell ill , [Walter]_145-hamlin has been [[my]_386-sacha lover]_{6943-my lover} . ”_[386-sacha] [The little woman]_{4885-the little woman} spoke in a very low but very distinct voice , unabashed , brazen , almost smiling . [She]_{4885-the little woman} said the last words not in shame , but in triumph ; hurled them at [Anne]_171-anne as an outrage , almost as a thunderbolt . “ [I]_171-anne knew it already , ”_[171-anne] answered [Miss Brown]_171-anne , gathering [her]_171-anne white brocade skirts about [her]_171-anne . “ [You]_171-anne knew it ! ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} exclaimed [Madame Elaguine]_{360-madame elaguine} , staring at [her]_171-anne as if [she]_{360-madame elaguine} could not believe [her]_{360-madame elaguine} ears . “ [You]_171-anne knew it ! ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [she]_{360-madame elaguine} repeated after a moment , a sudden triumphant scorn coming into [her]_{360-madame elaguine} face . “ [You]_171-anne knew it , and [you]_171-anne make [him]_145-hamlin marry [you]_171-anne all the same ! Well , [I]_{360-madame elaguine} wish [you]_171-anne all possible happiness , and [I]_{360-madame elaguine} rejoice that [Walter]_145-hamlin has got [a wife who understands so well how to deal with [him]_145-hamlin]_{6944-a wife who understands so well how to deal with him} . As to [me]_{360-madame elaguine} , pray do n’t think that [I]_{360-madame elaguine} bear [you]_171-anne any malice . [I]_{360-madame elaguine} am only surprised and amused ; and extremely interested , from the psychological point of view , in finding that [a virtuous woman]_{6945-a virtuous woman} may condescend to things which would turn the stomach of [a woman who has no pretence to virtue]_{6946-a woman who has no pretence to virtue} . ”_{[360-madame elaguine]} [Anne]_171-anne brushed aside the palm‐leaves and ferns of the conservatory door . A sudden pain , as of a blow with the fist , was at [her]_171-anne heart . [She]_171-anne did not answer , for [she]_171-anne felt that there was truth in [Sacha]_386-sacha ’s insult . [Miss Brown]_171-anne had forgotten that ignominy is an almost indispensable part of all martyrdom . [She]_171-anne found [Hamlin]_145-hamlin standing in a little knot of [friends]_4095-friends . “ [I]_145-hamlin fear [I]_145-hamlin must be going [home]_4170-home rather early , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , “ as [I]_145-hamlin set off for [the Italian lakes]_{6948-the italian lakes} tomorrow morning , and all [my]_145-hamlin packing still remains to be done . And [I]_145-hamlin think , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin added , with a kind of supplicating look , “ that [Miss Brown]_171-anne looks rather tired also , and ought to let [me]_145-hamlin escort [her]_171-anne [home]_4170-home . ”_[145-hamlin] [Anne]_171-anne nodded . [She]_171-anne saw the burly shoulders , the bushy black head of [Richard Brown]_{490-richard brown} in [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} , and [she]_171-anne dreaded meeting [him]_145-hamlin . “ Let [us]_3847-us go , ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne said . But as [they]_3847-us were turning away , [Richard]_{490-richard brown} made [his]_145-hamlin way to [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} . “ Good evening , [Annie]_171-anne , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , in an off‐hand voice ; “ [I]_145-hamlin have had no opportunity of congratulating [you]_171-anne and [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin . ”_[145-hamlin] “ Thank [you]_145-hamlin , [Dick]_379-hamlin , ”_[171-anne] answered [Miss Brown]_171-anne , [her]_171-anne eyes mechanically avoiding [his]_145-hamlin . “ [I]_171-anne ’m sorry it ’s so late ; [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} is at the door , and [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [I]_171-anne must be leaving . ”_[171-anne] “ Ah , very good ! ”_[171-anne] said [Brown]_171-anne . “ Well , then , [I]_171-anne will take [you]_171-anne down , and help [you]_171-anne to get [your]_171-anne wraps , while [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin finishes taking leave of [[his]_145-hamlin friends]_{893-his friends} . ”_[171-anne] [He]_145-hamlin gave a contemptuous nod to [Hamlin]_145-hamlin , waited for [Anne]_171-anne to have said good‐bye to [[her]_171-anne friends]_{1459-her friends} , and pushed [his]_145-hamlin way with [her]_171-anne through [the crowd]_{864-the crowd} , while [Mrs Argiropoulo]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} murmured , for the thirtieth or fortieth time that evening — “ Well , [I]_{261-mrs argiropoulo} must say it is a satisfaction to see [two people who are really made for [each other]_{594-each other}]_{6952-two people who are really made for each other} , like [Walter Hamlin]_145-hamlin and [dear Anne]_171-anne . ”_{[261-mrs argiropoulo]} There was [no one as yet in the highly æsthetic study]_{3851-no one as yet in the highly æsthetic study} , which had been turned into a perfect exhibition of fantastic shawls and opera‐cloaks . [They]_3852-they had said nothing while going down‐stairs , and even now [Richard Brown]_{490-richard brown} was silent , as [he]_145-hamlin hunted about for [[his]_145-hamlin cousin]_{1267-his cousin} ’s cloak . “ [Anne]_171-anne , are [you]_171-anne there ? ”_[145-hamlin] asked [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s voice from [the corridor]_{3805-the corridor} . [Richard Brown]_{490-richard brown} ’s heavy brows contracted . “ Here ’s [your]_171-anne fan , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin said , stooping to pick it up . “ Good‐bye , [Nan]_171-anne ! [I]_145-hamlin hope [you]_171-anne may be happy — ”_[145-hamlin] [She]_{1267-his cousin} stretched out [her]_{1267-his cousin} hand . “ Good‐bye , [Dick]_379-hamlin ! ”_[171-anne] said [Miss Brown]_171-anne , raising [her]_171-anne eyes shyly upon [him]_145-hamlin ; “ [you]_145-hamlin have been very good to [me]_171-anne — ”_[171-anne] [Richard]_{490-richard brown} looked at [her]_171-anne for a moment as [she]_171-anne stood under the lamp , in [her]_171-anne shimmering white dress . Then , as [she]_171-anne was going away on [Hamlin]_379-hamlin ’s entrance , [he]_145-hamlin turned round suddenly to [her]_171-anne and murmured , in [his]_145-hamlin hot angry whisper — “ Good‐bye , [Nan]_171-anne — [you]_171-anne mercenary creature ! ”_[145-hamlin] [A few intimate friends]_{3855-a few intimate friends} had assembled near [the hall]_{550-the hall} door , to say good‐bye . “ Here , [Mr Chough]_248-chough , ”_{[451-mr saunders]} cried [fat old Mr Saunders]_{451-mr saunders} , [the impeccable disciple of [Fra Angelico]_{492-fra angelico}]_{3857-the impeccable disciple of fra angelico} , “ [you]_248-chough ’ll be just in time to write a nice bridal ode while [Miss Brown]_171-anne packs [her]_171-anne boxes to‐morrow . Mind [you]_248-chough cut out [Spenser]_446-spenser and Suckling and all the rest of them , [old boy]_{4256-old boy} . ”_{[451-mr saunders]} [Cosmo Chough]_248-chough , [his]_{451-mr saunders} cat‐like black whiskers brushed fiercely over a shirt fantastically frilled and starched , to show [his]_{451-mr saunders} eighteenth‐century proclivities , made one of [his]_{451-mr saunders} beautiful bows . “ [Some better poet]_{6955-some better poet} than [I]_{451-mr saunders} must write that ode , ”_{[451-mr saunders]} [he]_{451-mr saunders} said ; “ all that [[her]_171-anne poor servant]_{6956-her poor servant} [Cosmo]_248-chough can do , is to thank [Miss Brown]_171-anne from all [his]_{451-mr saunders} heart for marrying [[his]_{451-mr saunders} dearest friend]_{6957-his dearest friend} . ”_{[451-mr saunders]} [Anne]_171-anne heard the voice of [the Poet of Womanhood]_{6484-the poet of womanhood} vaguely , distantly , like all the others . “ Is [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} [there]_4426-there , [Mr Hamlin]_145-hamlin ? ”_[171-anne] [she]_171-anne asked . “ Here it is . Good night ! Good‐bye ! ”_[145-hamlin] cried [Hamlin]_145-hamlin . [He]_145-hamlin jumped in after [her]_171-anne . “ Oh , [Anne]_171-anne ! that [you]_171-anne should really have loved [me]_145-hamlin all this time — [you]_171-anne , really [you]_171-anne ; and that [I]_145-hamlin should never have understood it , ”_[145-hamlin] [he]_145-hamlin whispered , pressing [her]_171-anne hand , as [the carriage]_{810-the carriage} rolled off . “ Are [you]_171-anne cold , [[my]_145-hamlin love]_{2311-my love} ? ”_[145-hamlin] [Miss Brown]_171-anne suddenly shivered , as [he]_145-hamlin put [his]_145-hamlin arm round [her]_171-anne shoulder . The flash of a street lamp as [they]_3860-they passed quickly , had shown [her]_171-anne [Hamlin]_145-hamlin ’s face close to [her]_171-anne own , and radiant with the triumph of satisfied vanity .